The Presidency has launched a scathing attack on former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of dodging critical questions regarding his integrity and treating Nigerians as "buffoons."

 

In a statement released on Friday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, dubbed Atiku the **“Diverter-in-Chief.”** Onanuga criticized the former vice president for evading journalists' questions about his alleged involvement in an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration case in Paris linked to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.

 

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### The Mambilla Project & The $500k Bribe Allegation

 

According to the Presidency, Atiku and former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, illegally awarded the Mambilla contract to Sunrise Power Transmission and Procurement Ltd. without obtaining necessary approvals from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) or then-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

 

The statement further alleged that during tribunal hearings, evidence surfaced suggesting Atiku collected a **$500,000 bribe** from Sunrise Power and its CEO, Leno Adesanya, to facilitate the contract's approval.

 

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### A $3.38 Billion Threat to the Treasury

 

Highlighting the potential financial damage to the nation, Onanuga warned about what Nigeria stood to lose if Sunrise Power had won its arbitration claims in Paris.

 

> *"Sunrise and Leno Adesanya would have walked away in Paris with $3.38 billion, including the $680 million settlement sum and interest, plus a claim of $2.7 billion as compensation and interest associated with the non-development of the Mambilla Hydro Power Project,"* the statement read.

 

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### "A Diverter-in-Chief Desperate for Power"

 

The Presidency expressed disappointment that Atiku used a recent "world press conference" to weaponize socio-economic issues—such as fuel and electricity subsidies—rather than clearing his name.

 

Key takeaways from the Presidency's reaction include:

 

* **Integrity First:** A politician aspiring to lead the country must face integrity allegations directly instead of shifting the public's focus.

* **Debunked Claims:** Allegations made by Atiku regarding the Tinubu administration's plan to remove electricity subsidies were refuted by Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe.

* **Self-Interest:** The Presidency alleged that Atiku prioritizes his political ambitions over the real interests of the Nigerian populace.

 

The statement concluded with a direct challenge to the presidential hopeful: respond clearly and directly to the $500,000 bribe allegation rather than deflecting with unsupported political claims against the government.