APC Warns Nigerians Against Voting Atiku in 2027, Cites Corruption Allegations

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned Nigerians against voting for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election, urging voters to scrutinise his record in public office.

In a statement issued on Thursday, September 24, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said Atiku should not be allowed to return to the presidency or have access to the nation’s treasury. 

The party cited several controversies involving Atiku and his former wife, Jennifer Douglas, including issues surrounding the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, the Siemens bribery investigation, the William Jefferson case, the PTDF funds controversy and a 2010 US Senate investigation into suspicious financial transactions. 

On the Mambilla project, the APC highlighted a $500,000 payment made in January 2003 by Sunrise Power promoter Leno Adesanya to Douglas through an offshore company. The payment was examined in arbitration proceedings between Sunrise Power and the Federal Government. The APC argues that the circumstances raise questions about Atiku’s record. 

The party also revived the Siemens case, noting that US authorities had alleged bribery payments connected to Nigerian telecommunications contracts during the Obasanjo administration. It further referenced the US case involving former Congressman William Jefferson and a 2010 US Senate report concerning suspicious financial transactions. 

Atiku has rejected corruption allegations against him. His spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, has argued that the ICC arbitration did not indict or convict Atiku and challenged the APC to identify where the tribunal found that Atiku personally received a bribe or abused his office. 

The APC also attacked Atiku’s proposal to restore petrol subsidies, saying it represented a reversal of his position before the 2023 election and could put pressure on public finances. Atiku has maintained that subsidy restoration would provide relief to Nigerians facing economic hardship. 

The confrontation comes as Atiku prepares to contest the 2027 presidential election under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), setting up a potentially intense campaign battle between the opposition and the ruling APC.