By Gabriel Ameh
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised fresh concerns over former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s past financial controversies, urging Nigerians to consider the allegations surrounding him ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the comments in a statement titled, “2027: Why Nigerians Must Keep Atiku Away From the National Treasury.”
Morka cited several past controversies involving Atiku and his former wife, Jennifer Douglas, including the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, the Siemens bribery case, the William Jefferson case, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) controversy and a 2010 investigation by a U.S. Senate subcommittee.
According to the APC spokesman, the issues raise questions about Atiku’s record and suitability for another presidential bid.
Mambilla controversy
The APC particularly highlighted a recent International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal proceeding in Paris involving the disputed Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
The tribunal examined a $500,000 payment made in January 2003 by Leno Adesanya, promoter of Sunrise Power, to Jennifer Douglas, who was Atiku’s wife at the time.
According to the tribunal record, Adesanya said the payment was a foreign-exchange transaction carried out for Atiku. However, the tribunal noted that he did not provide documentary evidence supporting that explanation. Neither Atiku nor Douglas gave evidence in the arbitration.
The tribunal examined the payment in the context of Nigeria’s allegations concerning the Mambilla project. However, reporting on the ruling has also noted that the tribunal did not find that Atiku personally received a bribe. Atiku has denied being indicted over the payment.
Siemens and William Jefferson cases
Morka also referred to the Siemens bribery scandal, in which U.S. authorities investigated payments linked to Nigerian telecommunications contracts.
A 2010 U.S. Senate investigation cited allegations that Jennifer Douglas received payments from Siemens and examined the movement of more than $40 million in what the subcommittee described as “suspect funds” into the United States through offshore entities.
The APC also referenced the William Jefferson case in the United States, where investigators examined alleged efforts to influence a proposed business arrangement involving Atiku and his associates.
Atiku has denied wrongdoing in connection with the allegations.
US Senate investigation
The party further relied on findings from a 2010 report by the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
The report examined more than $40 million in funds transferred into the United States between 2000 and 2008 through offshore companies involving Jennifer Douglas. Nearly $25 million was transferred into more than 30 U.S. bank accounts associated with Douglas and related entities.
The existence of the Senate investigation and its description of the funds as suspicious are documented. However, the report did not result in a criminal conviction of Atiku. AFP Fact Check has also noted that claims portraying the old Senate report as a current investigation are misleading.
APC attacks Atiku’s economic position
Morka also criticised Atiku over his reported change in position on fuel subsidy policy, arguing that his current position could undermine the economic gains claimed by the Tinubu administration.
The APC spokesman accused the former vice president of seeking political power at the expense of the country’s economic interests.
These assertions form part of the APC’s political argument against Atiku ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, who is associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 election, has previously rejected corruption allegations against him, including those relating to the Mambilla payment.
The APC’s statement is therefore best understood as a political attack on a major opposition figure, drawing on documented past investigations and controversies as well as the party’s interpretation of their significance.
Source: All Progressives Congress (APC), statement by National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka; additional verification from U.S. Senate records and reports on the 2026 ICC arbitration proceedings.
Tags: APC, Atiku Abubakar, 2027 election, Nigeria 2027 election, Nigerian politics, APC news, Atiku corruption allegations, Atiku controversies, Mambilla power project, Mambilla controversy, Siemens bribery scandal, William Jefferson case, US Senate investigation, Jennifer Douglas, Nigeria politics, presidential election 2027, national treasury Nigeria, Felix Morka, ADC, African Democratic Congress,
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