The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused former Vice President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, of involvement in alleged local and international bribery and corruption scandals, questioning his suitability to become Nigeria’s president.
The APC spokesperson, Felix Morka, made the allegations in a statement issued on Thursday, citing controversies surrounding the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, the Siemens bribery scandal, the William Jefferson case, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) funds controversy and a United States Senate investigation into suspicious financial transactions.
According to Morka, Atiku’s record in public office is linked to what he described as corruption, cronyism and actions that allegedly undermined Nigeria’s economy and public trust.
He argued that the 2027 presidential election would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to reject Atiku’s presidential ambition.
APC Raises Questions Over Mambilla Power Project Payment
Morka cited proceedings before an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Arbitration Tribunal in Paris concerning a $500,000 payment reportedly made in January 2003 by Leno Adesanya, promoter of Sunrise Power, to Jennifer Douglas, Atiku’s former wife, through an offshore company.
The APC spokesperson said the payment occurred around the period when the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract was awarded while Atiku served as vice president.
Morka alleged that Atiku had failed to provide an adequate explanation for the payment, which he characterised as an illegal bribe.
However, the allegations and their legal implications should be distinguished from findings conclusively establishing personal criminal liability. The relevant arbitration proceedings and underlying financial records would need to be examined to establish the precise facts and determinations.
Siemens Bribery Scandal Also Mentioned
The APC spokesperson further referred to the Siemens bribery scandal, alleging that United States authorities had accused the German engineering company of paying at least $4.5 million in bribes to secure Nigerian telecommunications contracts during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.
Morka claimed that approximately $2.8 million passed through a bank account associated with Jennifer Douglas.
He also pointed to Siemens’ agreement to pay approximately $1.6 billion in penalties to United States and German authorities over global bribery violations, using the case to support the APC’s criticism of Atiku.
The Siemens enforcement case involved corporate bribery violations, but claims concerning specific individuals and the destination of particular funds require verification against official court and investigative records.
William Jefferson Case and US Senate Investigation
Morka also referenced the bribery case involving former United States Congressman William Jefferson.
According to the APC spokesperson, US court records indicated that Jefferson disclosed paying Atiku $100,000 in connection with a proposed business partnership involving iGate and Netlink Digital Television.
Jefferson was subsequently convicted and sentenced to prison.
Morka further cited a 2010 report by the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which he said linked Atiku and Jennifer Douglas to more than $40 million in suspicious funds transferred into the United States through offshore companies.
He claimed that the money was deposited into more than 30 bank accounts associated with Douglas and her family.
The allegations form part of the APC’s broader criticism of Atiku’s financial record. The Senate report, court documents and other primary sources would be necessary to establish the nature of the transactions, the findings made against each person and whether any allegations resulted in criminal convictions.
APC Criticises Atiku’s Fuel Subsidy Position
Morka also attacked Atiku over his position on fuel subsidy, accusing the ADC presidential candidate of changing his position between the 2023 election cycle and his current policy proposal.
He alleged that Atiku’s reported support for restoring fuel subsidies was an attempt to gain access to Nigeria’s foreign reserves.
The APC spokesperson praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, claiming that the country’s foreign reserves had risen to more than $54 billion, which he described as an 18-year high, from $3 billion under the current administration.
Morka accused Atiku of seeking to reverse the administration’s economic reforms and undermine the country’s treasury through what he described as an unrealistic fuel subsidy proposal.
The figures and claims concerning foreign reserves, the administration’s role in their growth and Atiku’s policy position should be checked against official economic data and documented policy statements before being presented as established facts.
APC Cites Obasanjo’s Criticism of Atiku
The APC spokesperson also referred to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s book, My Watch, in which he said Obasanjo criticised Atiku’s conduct, judgment and approach to public office.
Morka further referenced comments reportedly made by Obasanjo in August 2026, in which the former president described his decision to select Atiku as his running mate in 1999 as the biggest mistake of his presidency.
Obasanjo was quoted as saying:
“The man I picked as my running mate, my number two, if I had known him as I came to know him later, I would not have picked him.”
Morka interpreted the former president’s remarks as further evidence of Atiku’s alleged unsuitability for public office.
APC Says Atiku Is Unfit for the Presidency
Concluding his statement, Felix Morka described Atiku as an “accidental vice president” and maintained that the former vice president was unfit to lead Nigeria.
The statement reflects the APC’s criticism of Atiku ahead of the 2027 presidential election, focusing on historical financial controversies, public policy disagreements and criticism attributed to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The allegations and political claims should be assessed against official records, court decisions, investigative reports and the responses of the individuals involved.
