Senate reacts to allegation of collecting $10 million bribe over President Tinubu’s nominee
Senate reacts to allegation of collecting $10 million bribe over President Tinubu’s nominee
The Senate on Friday explained why the screening and confirmation of Mr. Abdullah Garba Ramat as Chief Executive of the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) was put on hold.
The clarification comes in response to allegations of bribery aimed at obstructing Ramat’s confirmation. Alwan Hassan, former Special Adviser to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, had claimed that the leadership of the 10th Senate accepted $10 million to block Ramat’s appointment.
The allegations were dismissed in a statement by the Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, who said the delay was due to a “baggage of public and private complaints against his nomination.”
Adaramodu noted that it is common for nominees to be stepped down when faced with significant public outcry, urging Nigerians not to be swayed by unverified claims of bribery.
The Senate also announced plans to take legal action against Alwan Hassan to hold him accountable and ensure Nigerians have evidence regarding his allegations.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Senate has been drawn to the uncoordinated cacophony of one innocuous Alwan Hassan, who is a hand-tool to one Mr Abdullah Garba Ramat.
“Refreshing the memories of Nigerians, Mr. Ramat is the yet to be confirmed Chief Executive of the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission.
“Mr Alwan has ludicrously alleged that the Senate was compromised by yet to be disclosed ghosts to reject the nomination and confirmation of Mr Ramat.
“For the unsuspecting public not to be persuaded by the satanic verses of this political feckless mercenary, the Senate wishes to state that Mr Garba Ramat has a baggage of public and private complaints against his nomination. The Senate is bound statutorily to halt actions on him or on whoever is under such public questioning. Many nominees have been stepped down due to such public outcry.
“The case of Mr Ramat is not an exemption. No-one can drag the institution of the National Assembly into public opprobrium with unfathomable allegations, in order to arm twist the legislature.
” Nigerians would like to have appointees who go through watertight screening processes, rather than those who bully their ways through blackmail.
” The Senate would definitely engage Mr Alwan at the court, to provide Nigerians with the proof of his assertions.
“The Senate is an institution of noble Nigerians, that respect the views, opinions, complaints and compliments of the citizens through Legislative oversight and other constitutional functions.
“We don’t know and had no prior encounter with Mr Ramat, until his nomination came for screening and the Senate is bound to listen and consider any issues raised against him by the people, who he was nominated to serve.”
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President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing
President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after participating in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026).
Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
The president attended the summit alongside some members of his cabinet.
On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The agreement is aimed at deepening economic cooperation, boosting bilateral trade and investment, and enhancing technology transfer.
It will also expand collaboration in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining and renewable energy.
In his address at the summit, Tinubu announced that Nigeria and the UAE would jointly host INVESTOPIA in Lagos in February.
The initiative is designed to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into Nigeria.
Tinubu also said Nigeria targets mobilising up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance.
He said the funds would support energy transition reforms and expand nationwide access to electricity. (NAN)
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APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor
APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor
The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied receiving a letter from Gov. Dauda Lawal seeking to defect to the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were speculations across the state over Lawal’s move to defect to APC.
A statement issued in Gusau on Saturday by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, described the speculations as fabricated.
“The party came across a fabricated report purported to have emanated from one Tambarin Gusau claiming that Go Dauda Lawal has sent a letter to the party wanting to join the APC.
“The report is malicious, unfortunate, unfounded, mischievous and showed the unprofessional manner which some people can go in misleading others and causing chaos in a stable and a peaceful party like the APC.
“The APC has responsible channels where everything is done in a guided manner,” Idris said.
According to him, the party has not received any letter from Lawal as claimed through the imagination of the writer nor was the party aware of any recent moves by the governor to defect from the PDP to the APC.
“All members of the party and indeed the public especially in Zamfara should therefore disregard such report.,” Idris added.(NAN)
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282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
A Qatar Airways passenger plane on Friday made an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos after developing a technical fault mid-flight.
The aircraft, which had 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board, was forced to land abruptly after the malfunction was detected while it was operating within Nigerian airspace.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
According to him, the agency was alerted to the situation through its 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines, prompting an immediate response from emergency officials.
He explained that upon receiving the distress call, the LASEMA Response Team (LRT) was swiftly deployed to the airport to assess the situation and provide necessary support.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the LASEMA Response Team confirmed that the aircraft was in distress,” the statement noted.
“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport with LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extreme high alert on the runway.
“Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs.”
“All passengers of the distressed airplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported, no loss of lives,” the statement said.
Despite the technical issue and the emergency landing, the agency stated that there was the aircraft experienced no major damage.
“The aircraft has been secured on the apron. Recovery activities have been completed,” the statement added.
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