Mambilla: APC Campaign Council Links Atiku To Controversial Contract
The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has called on the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race following revelations surrounding a $500,000 payment to his former wife during the controversy over the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
The call came after an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal in Paris ruled in favour of Nigeria in the long-running dispute involving Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited over the Mambilla project.
The tribunal rejected Sunrise’s claims against Nigeria and ordered the company and its promoter, Leno Adesanya, to reimburse Nigeria about $11.8 million in legal costs.
In a statement issued by its spokesman, Dele Alake, the APC Campaign Council alleged that Atiku, who was Vice-President at the time, and former Power Minister Olu Agunloye were involved in the controversial award of a Build-Operate-Transfer contract to Sunrise.
The council also cited evidence examined by the tribunal concerning a $500,000 payment made on January 30, 2003, to Jennifer Douglas, Atiku’s then-wife, through China Castle Investments Limited, an offshore company linked to Adesanya.
The payment was made months before the purported award of the Mambilla contract.
According to the APC council, the tribunal noted a close timing between the payment and the alleged award of the contract.
The council accused Atiku of putting personal interests ahead of Nigeria’s national interest and argued that the development raised questions about his suitability to seek the presidency.
It further alleged that the controversial contract exposed Nigeria to substantial financial claims after the Federal Government declined to proceed with the project arrangement.
The APC campaign body contrasted the allegations with the roles played by former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari, who, according to the State House, testified in the arbitration in support of Nigeria’s defence.
The council also referenced criticisms of Atiku contained in Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch, particularly allegations concerning corruption, disloyalty, lack of transparency and placing personal interests above national interests.
The APC campaign council subsequently urged Atiku to withdraw from the 2027 presidential contest, alleging that further revelations concerning the Mambilla controversy could emerge.
The statement also criticised Atiku’s position on petroleum subsidies and accused him of having contributed to the delay of the Mambilla project, which was originally conceived as a major hydroelectric development in Taraba State.
The allegations come as Atiku prepares for the 2027 presidential contest on the ADC platform. Atiku has not, in the material provided, responded to the APC campaign council’s latest statement.
