APC and Atiku Abubakar Clash Over Mambilla Payment Dispute

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration regarding the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project has led to a political dispute between the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The tribunal ruled in favor of Nigeria by dismissing claims from Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited and its promoter, Leno Adesanya, while also examining a $500,000 payment made to Atiku's then-wife, Jennifer Douglas, in 2003.

The APC, through spokesman Dele Alake, accused Atiku of compromising Nigeria's interests for personal gain and urged him to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race. The payment, made through China Castle Investments Limited to Douglas's Citibank account on January 30, 2003, was deemed suspicious by the APC, which alleged corruption involving Atiku and former Power Minister Olu Agunloye.

Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant Phrank Shaibu, rejected these claims, asserting that the APC misinterpreted the tribunal's findings.