A former Special Adviser to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Alwan Hassan, has issued a public apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin after accusing them of receiving a $10 million bribe to drop President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the chairmanship of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Abdullahi Ramat.
His apology comes barely a week after the Senate hinted at legal action over the allegation, which had triggered sharp reactions across political circles.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, Hassan linked the controversy to his efforts to push Ramat’s confirmation, recounting how the nominee was screened and cleared by the Senate Committee on Power before his name vanished from the Order Paper.
He admitted granting media interviews where he made disparaging remarks about the Senate leadership and repeated claims that they had allegedly taken a $10 million bribe, a claim he now attributes to misleading conversations and wrong assumptions.
“I also referenced a claim alleging that they received $10 million in bribes to stall Ramat’s confirmation. That allegation came from conversations I had while trying to understand the issues.
“I have since come to realise that the claim was not only untrue, but unfair and uncharitable to both the National Assembly and its leadership,” he said.
Hassan, an APC chieftain, added that he has formally retracted his statement and is prepared to tender a public apology to the Senate, Akpabio and Barau.
He urged lawmakers to forgive his missteps and reconsider Ramat’s pending appointment.