A former aide to ex–Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Alwan Hassan, on Tuesday in Abuja retracted his allegation that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin collected a $10 million bribe to halt the confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Hassan, who spoke at a news conference, also tendered what he described as a full and unconditional apology to the Senate leadership, saying the claim was based on misleading information.
He said his allegation stemmed from efforts to push for the confirmation of the nominee, Abdullahi Ramat, who had been screened and recommended by the Senate Committee on Power before his name was omitted from the Order Paper.
The former presidential aide admitted granting media interviews in which he repeated rumours concerning the alleged bribe. He said further reflection showed the claims lacked substance.
“I have since come to realise that the claim was not only untrue, but unfair and uncharitable to both the National Assembly and its leadership,” he said.
His apology came days after the Senate warned it would take legal action against him over the allegation, which heightened political tension and renewed debate on federal appointments in the power sector.
Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu had earlier dismissed the allegation, describing Hassan as a “hand-tool” of the nominee and insisting that the Senate received no bribe. He said Ramat’s confirmation was suspended following public and private complaints against him.
“Many nominees have stepped down due to such public outcry. The case of Mr Ramat is not an exception,” he said, adding that the Senate intended to compel Hassan to provide evidence in court.
Hassan, however, said his comments were driven by “passion and advocacy gone too far” and expressed gratitude to supporters who stood by him during his interaction with the police.
Ramat’s confirmation remains pending as lawmakers continue to review petitions and concerns raised against his nomination.