Mambilla: APC Campaign Council Attacks Atiku Over $500,000 Payment, Calls Him ‘Unfit’ for Presidency

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has renewed its criticism of African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, describing him as “unfit for Nigeria’s presidency” amid fresh scrutiny of the long-running Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project dispute.

The council’s position followed the release of an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration ruling that rejected Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited’s claims against Nigeria in connection with the controversial project.

In a Friday statement signed by its spokesman, Dele Alake, the APC campaign council focused on a $500,000 payment made in January 2003 by Sunrise promoter Leno Adesanya to Jennifer Douglas, who was then married to Atiku.

The payment was made through China Castle Investments Limited, an offshore company controlled by Adesanya. According to evidence reported from the ICC award, Adesanya told the tribunal that the money represented a foreign-exchange transaction carried out for Atiku.

“I confirm that I made a transfer of $500,000 to the Abubakars through my company China Castle Investments Ltd in early 2003,” Adesanya said in his witness statement.

The tribunal found that Adesanya did not provide documents showing the underlying naira payment, exchange rate, instructions from Atiku or his aides, correspondence concerning the transaction or documentation establishing its commercial purpose. Neither Atiku nor Douglas testified in the arbitration.

The APC campaign council seized on the findings, alleging that the payment was connected to efforts to secure the Mambilla contract for Sunrise.

“Abubakar’s legendary corruption reverberated in Paris at the International Arbitration Tribunal under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce,” the council said.

It alleged that Atiku and former Power Minister Olu Agunloye “worked in cahoots” to secure the contract for Sunrise despite objections from then-President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Federal Executive Council.

The council further alleged that Atiku compromised Nigeria’s interests through the transaction.

“By collecting a $500,000 bribe from Leno Adesanya to approve a Build-Operate-Transfer contract to a company with no scintilla of experience in hydro power generation, Atiku has proven he is one of the enablers of local and international predatory and exploitative entities out to defraud our country,” it alleged.

However, the ICC tribunal’s findings were more limited than the APC’s characterization. While the tribunal said the circumstances surrounding the $500,000 payment raised “significant red flags,” it also stated that there was no evidence before it showing that Atiku actually exercised his official duties in a way that facilitated Sunrise’s contract award.

The tribunal also said it could not exclude a connection between the payment and Atiku’s role in government and the Mambilla project because Adesanya’s foreign-exchange explanation was unsupported by documentary or independent witness evidence.

The APC council also criticised Atiku for not testifying before the tribunal, while former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari appeared as witnesses for Nigeria.

It cited allegations contained in Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch, relating to corruption, disloyalty and transparency, and called on Atiku to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.

The campaign council described the Mambilla controversy as proof that Atiku was “unfit for Nigeria’s presidency.”

The Mambilla dispute has dragged on for years. Sunrise initially pursued a multibillion-dollar claim against Nigeria, while a later dispute involved claims linked to a negotiated settlement. The ICC tribunal ultimately rejected Sunrise’s claims and ordered Sunrise and Adesanya to reimburse Nigeria for most of its legal costs.

The ruling removes a major financial claim against Nigeria, while the political controversy surrounding the 2003 Mambilla contract and the $500,000 payment continues.

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