Ismaeel Aleem
A prominent Kano State All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Mallam Alwan Hassan, has formally retracted his earlier allegation that Nigerian senators received a $10 million bribe to block the confirmation of Engr. Ramat Abdullahi as chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Hassan, who once served as Special Adviser to former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, expressed regret over the claim and tendered an unreserved apology to the National Assembly and its leadership.
“I fully retract that statement and offer my sincere apologies to the Senate, the House of Representatives, and their distinguished leaders,” he said.
He urged the lawmakers to proceed with the confirmation of Engr. Ramat Abdullahi, whom President Bola Tinubu had nominated for the NERC position, describing her as eminently qualified for the role.
Turning to state politics, the APC chieftain expressed strong confidence that his party would wrest power from the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2027 Kano governorship election.
Hassan said the APC was already rebuilding and unifying its ranks, bringing together major political stakeholders in preparation for the contest.
“Kano must realign with the centre to enjoy accelerated development under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he declared, adding: “Just wait and see the APC will take over Kano in 2027.”
He maintained that the ongoing reconciliation efforts and strategic political realignments would deliver a resounding victory for the APC, not only in Kano but across the North-West region.
Hassan’s retraction and optimistic forecast come amid heightened political activities in Kano, where the NNPP, led by Governor Abba Yusuf, currently holds sway following its upset victory in the 2023 polls.
