The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has alleged that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, compromised Nigeria’s national interest over the controversial Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project contract.

The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the council’s spokesman, Dele Alake, who cited proceedings before an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal in Paris over disputes arising from the stalled 3,960-megawatt Mambila project in Taraba State.

Alake alleged that Abubakar, who was Vice-President at the time, and former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, worked together to facilitate the award of a contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd despite objections and reservations reportedly raised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

According to Alake, the campaign council’s position was reinforced by the tribunal’s observation concerning a $500,000 payment made to Jennifer Douglas, Abubakar’s then-wife, through an offshore account on January 30, 2003, and the alleged award of the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contract to Sunrise on May 22, 2003.

Alake quoted the tribunal as stating that there was “a close connection in time” between the payment and the alleged award of the contract. He interpreted the development as evidence of a link between the payment and the contract, alleging that the money constituted a bribe.

The APC spokesman further alleged that the disputed contract subsequently exposed Nigeria to substantial financial claims after Sunrise and Leno Adesanya commenced arbitration proceedings over the Mambila project.

He said one of the claims involved a demand for $680 million in settlement and interest, while another arbitration claim reportedly sought more than $2.7 billion in compensation and interest over disputes connected with the project.

Alake also alleged that Abubakar did not appear before the Paris tribunal to give evidence in support of Sunrise and Adesanya’s claims, contrasting this with the appearances of former Presidents Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari, whom he said went to Paris to defend Nigeria’s position.

The APC campaign spokesman further cited criticisms of Abubakar contained in Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch, including allegations concerning his former deputy’s transparency, judgment and handling of public affairs.

Alake called on Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, alleging that the Mambila controversy was only part of what he described as a broader record of corruption.

He also accused the ADC candidate of contributing to the delay in the implementation of the Mambila project, saying its completion would have significant economic implications for Taraba State and Nigeria.