The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council accused African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar of compromising Nigeria’s interests over the controversial Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State. In a statement signed by its spokesman, Dele Alake, the council alleged that proceedings before an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal in Paris revealed links between Atiku, former Power Minister Olu Agunloye and Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd over the disputed 3,960-megawatt project contract.

The council alleged that a $500,000 payment made in 2003 to Atiku’s then-wife, Jennifer Douglas, was connected to the award of the Mambilla contract to Sunrise. It cited findings from the Paris arbitration proceedings concerning the timing of the payment and the alleged contract award, while also referring to a US Senate investigation into suspicious financial transfers. The council further alleged that the disputed contract had exposed Nigeria to substantial financial liabilities, with claims by Sunrise and Leno Adesanya reportedly involving hundreds of millions of dollars and a separate compensation claim exceeding $2.7 billion.

The APC Campaign Council said the disclosures reinforced allegations previously made against Atiku by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his book My Watch. It called on Atiku to withdraw from the presidential contest and accused him of contributing to the delay in the Mambilla project, which it said would have generated significant economic benefits for Taraba State and Nigeria. The allegations were contained in the APC campaign statement and represented the council’s account of the arbitration proceedings.