ATIKU PLEDGES COMPLETION OF MAMBILLA POWER PROJECT, END UNNECESSARY TAXES IF ELECTED

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Presidential aspirant Atiku Abubakar, representing the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has pledged to finalize the Mambilla hydropower project should he secure the presidency.

Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Bauchi on Saturday, Atiku reiterated his commitment to reinstating petrol subsidies and restoring electricity subsidies should his party secure victory in the 2027 elections.

According to his remarks, the north–east possesses vast mineral endowments, including crude oil, yet previous administrations have neglected its development, ostensibly to prevent the local population from reaping the benefits of these resources.

“I promise you that, by God’s grace, if you vote for us, we will ensure this oil work is completed for the prosperity of the north-east,” he said in Hausa.

“For those of you who are older, you will recall that since the era of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, there have been promises to build a dam called the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, which past governments failed to actualise.

“If God gives us the opportunity, and ADC is voted into power along with me, I promise you that we will continue and complete that project.”

The former vice-president also pledged to abolish what he described as “unnecessary taxes imposed on Nigerians” without justification.

He said his administration will also tackle insecurity and banditry in the north-east, saying perpetrators would not escape under his administration.

“Finally, we know that here in the north-east, we face insecurity issues and banditry. I swear, if the president were not somehow, nobody would dare to commit this nonsense under my watch and get away with it,” he said.

He urged residents to vote for the ADC in 2027 and protect their votes until they are officially recorded.

The former vice-president thanked Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, for providing the party with access to the stadium and government lodges for its campaign rally, despite the ADC being in the opposition.

“The Bauchi state governor did not take things too far, he gave us the opportunity to campaign in this stadium and provided us with all the government lodges. For doing that, we thank him, even though we remain in the opposition,” he said.

MAMBILLA BACK STORY

Conceived in 1972 during the military administration of Yakubu Gowon, the Mambilla hydropower project in Taraba has remained unfinished for several decades.
On October 18, 2001, Sunrise Power and Transmission, a project championed by Leno Adesanya, formally communicated its interest to then-President Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku.

In July 2002, the former vice–president led a government delegation to Beijing, where Nigeria and Chinaâs state–owned NCPEC signed a memorandum of understanding covering Mambilla and other projects.

On January 30, 2003, Adesanya’s offshore entity remitted $500,000 to Jennifer Douglas, who was Atiku‘s spouse at that time; in testimony before the tribunal, Adesanya characterized this transfer as a foreign–exchange transaction executed on behalf of Atiku.

On May 21, 2003, Olu Agunloye, who at the time held the portfolio of power minister, submitted a memorandum to the Federal Executive Council requesting authorization for Sunrise to assume responsibility for the project. According to the International Chamber of Commerce tribunal, Atiku, who assumed the vice–presidency in 1999, was engaged in the project no later than 2001.

However, the council asked him to withdraw it. Atiku was said to have supported Obasanjo’s position and suggested that the ministry consider all options.

However, Agunloye wrote to Sunrise the following day, conveying approval for the award at a provisional sum of $6 billion.

Sunrise commenced arbitration at the ICC on October 10, 2017, seeking $2.354 billion in compensation for breach of agreement.

However, in its September 16, 2026 final award, the tribunal debunked the company’s claims that Nigeria breached its contractual obligations under the settlement agreement and the addendum.

It also directed Sunrise and its promoter to refund Nigeria’s legal fees of $11.8 million.

It identified “significant red flags” surrounding the $500,000 payment and Atiku’s influence.

But the former vice-president has denied involvement in the contract award and any indictment by the tribunal.