The Democratic Front (TDF) has backed the call by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and spokesman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Alake, for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race over issues arising from the controversial award of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Wale Adedayo, TDF said the recent ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal in Paris had raised fresh questions about the circumstances surrounding the stalled 3,960-megawatt Mambilla project.
The group particularly cited a $500,000 payment allegedly made by Leno Adesanya, a promoter of Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, to the United States bank account of Atiku’s former wife, Jennifer Douglas Abubakar.
TDF argued that the circumstances surrounding the payment deserved public scrutiny, particularly in view of its connection to the period when the Mambilla project was being pursued.
“We acknowledge the validity of Dele Alake’s call against the backdrop of the ruling delivered by the ICC Arbitration tribunal in Paris,” the group said.
According to TDF, the arbitration proceedings had brought renewed attention to the relationship between the former vice-president, former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, and Sunrise Power over the proposed development of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
The group also expressed concern over the prolonged delay in developing the project, arguing that Nigeria had lost the opportunity to significantly expand its electricity generation capacity and strengthen the national grid.
TDF further questioned the suitability of Sunrise Power for the project, alleging that the company lacked the demonstrated experience and technical expertise required for the construction and operation of a major hydroelectric power facility.
It described the circumstances surrounding the contract as a possible breach of public procurement principles and accused those involved of violating the trust attached to public office.
The group also linked the latest development to previous allegations concerning financial transactions involving Atiku’s former wife, including alleged transfers of substantial sums into her Citibank account by offshore entities.
TDF maintained that the Mambilla arbitration had provided additional context to questions it had previously raised concerning those transactions.
“It is on the strength of the odium of Atiku’s iniquitous meddling in several corruption-related cases and incidents that we espouse the morally and legally canvassed position of Mr. Dele Alake,” the group said.
It therefore urged Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to withdraw from the 2027 presidential contest, argued that doing so would prevent further controversy surrounding his candidacy.
