The Presidency has branded the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, ‘Diverter-in-Chief’ for dodging journalists’ questions on the alleged $500,000 Mambilla project bribe.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, the Presidency said Atiku is taking Nigerians for buffoons.
It said Atiku was at his evasive best, avoiding comment on his indictment in Paris by the International Chamber of Commerce, ICC, over the alleged illegal Mambilla Hydro Power Project contract.
The Presidency alleged that Atiku and former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, awarded the contract to Sunrise Power without authorisation from the Federal Executive Council and President Olusegun Obasanjo.
It claimed that during the hearings at the Tribunal, Atiku collected a $500,000 bribe from Sunrise and Leno Adesanya, the company’s CEO, to approve the contract.
According to the Presidency, the money was sent in tranches to the US Citibank account of Atiku’s former wife, Jennifer Douglas, triggering red flags at Citibank and appearing, among other things, in the US Senate investigation into Atiku’s corruption and money laundering.
“A man who cares about his integrity and wants to offer himself for leadership ought to address the integrity issue first, but instead, he used his so-called world press conference to speak about his newfound campaign mantra, his pro-petrol subsidy stance.
“He also attacked the Tinubu administration, claiming it plans to withdraw electricity subsidies. The Power Minister, Joseph Tegbe, has already debunked that lie. But Atiku doesn’t care a hoot. He must weaponise everything in his desperation for power.
“Atiku, the diverter-in-chief, takes Nigerians for buffoons, thinking that his crimes against the Nigerian people do not matter. Nigerians should not be deceived: Atiku does not have the people’s interests at heart. He cares more about himself.
“Nigerians should also consider what was at stake for the public treasury if Atiku’s allies succeeded in Paris.
“Sunrise and Leno Adesanya would have walked away in Paris with $3.38 billion, including the $680 million settlement sum and interest, plus a claim of $2.7 billion as compensation and interest associated with the non-development of the Mambilla Hydro Power Project.
“A politician who aspires to lead Nigeria must be willing to answer questions about his integrity. Atiku should respond to the $500,000 bribe directly rather than divert public attention with unsupported allegations against the government,” the Presidency said in the statement.
DAILY POST recalls that the former vice-president on Friday held a press conference at his residence in Abuja.
Alleged Mambilla $500,000 bribe: ‘Diverter-in-Chief’ — Presidency brands Atiku