The Nigerian Senate has denied claims that its leadership received $10 million to block the confirmation of Mr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), describing the allegation as “false, reckless, and defamatory.”
The allegation, made by Alwan Hassan, a former aide to ex–Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, accused Senate leaders of collecting a bribe to halt Ramat’s confirmation.
In a statement issued Friday night, Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, said the decision to suspend the screening was driven solely by “the weight of public and private petitions” submitted against the nominee.
“The decision to step down Mr. Ramat’s screening was purely guided by public outcry and complaints against his nomination,” Adaramodu explained.
“This is not the first time the Senate has acted in deference to public concerns.”
He described the bribery allegation as “a product of political mischief and blackmail,” accusing Hassan of being “a hired hand” bent on discrediting the National Assembly.
“The Senate will not be intimidated by political mercenaries or satanic fabrications,” Adaramodu declared.
“Mr. Ramat carries a baggage of complaints, and the Senate is bound to act responsibly when such concerns are raised.”
The Senate, according to him, will take legal action against Hassan to compel him to prove his allegations in court.
“No one can tarnish the image of the National Assembly with baseless claims. We will meet him in court,” Adaramodu said.
He reaffirmed the Red Chamber’s commitment to transparency, stressing that all nominees would continue to undergo “watertight and credible screening exercises.”
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
