SENATE DENIES $10M BRIBE ALLEGATION OVER NERC CHAIRMAN NOMINEE

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Agency Report

The Senate has denied claims that its leadership received a $10 million bribe to block the confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the position of Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Abdullahi Ramat.

The allegation, made by Alwan Hassan, a former Special Adviser to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has stirred public debate over transparency and integrity in the confirmation of appointees within the power sector.

Reacting on Friday, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu described the bribery claim as “baseless and mischievous,” insisting that the decision to suspend Ramat’s confirmation followed “public and private complaints” against the nominee, not financial inducement.

“The Senate cannot ignore petitions and concerns raised over the nominee’s suitability,” Adaramodu said in a statement issued in Abuja. “Many nominees have been stepped down due to public outcry in the past. The case of Mr. Ramat is not an exception.”j

He accused Hassan of attempting to “blackmail and arm-twist” the legislature through falsehoods.

“Alwan has ludicrously alleged that the Senate was compromised by yet-to-be-disclosed ghosts to reject the nomination and confirmation of Ramat,” Adaramodu stated. “For the unsuspecting public not to be deceived by such satanic verses, the Senate wishes to state that Mr. Garba Ramat has a baggage of public and private complaints against his nomination.”

Adaramodu further warned that the Senate would take legal action, compelling Hassan to provide proof of the alleged bribe.

“No one can drag the National Assembly into public opprobrium with unfounded allegations. The Senate will engage Mr. Alwan in court to provide Nigerians with evidence of his assertions,” he said.

He also clarified that lawmakers had no prior relationship with Ramat before his nomination came for screening.

“The Senate had no personal dealings with Ramat. We only acted based on the concerns of the people he was nominated to serve,” he added.

Ramat’s confirmation remains suspended pending further legislative and public review.