APC Chieftain Denies Bribery Allegation Against Akpabio, Barau, Threatens Legal Action
Tension continues to surround a $10 million bribery allegation implicating Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Barau Jibrin, with a Kano-based APC chieftain publicly defending the two lawmakers and dismissing the claim as politically motivated.
The allegation, which suggested that the two politicians received $10 million to block the confirmation of Abdullahi Garba Ramat as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has been strongly denied by the All Tinubu/Barau Support Groups Coalition.
Comrade Hafizu Sani Liman, a leading member of the coalition, described the bribery claims as “fabricated, malicious, and politically motivated attempts to tarnish the reputations” of Akpabio and Barau.
According to reports, the coalition has instructed lawyers to pursue legal action against the originators of the allegation.
Liman emphasized that neither Akpabio nor Barau had any involvement in the alleged transaction and urged the public to disregard the claims as baseless.
Senator Barau Jibrin also reportedly threatened legal action against those spreading the bribery claims, warning that attempts to tarnish his image would be met with litigation.
Supporters of the senator echoed the sentiment, stressing that the allegations lack credible evidence and appear designed to weaken political influence ahead of upcoming elections.
The episode has drawn attention to the sensitivity of political accusations in Nigeria, where claims of bribery and corruption can quickly gain traction on social media.
Analysts note that such unverified claims, even when denied, have the potential to influence public perception and exacerbate political tensions within the ruling party.
As of now, both Akpabio and Barau maintain their innocence, while the Kano APC chieftain and the coalition continue to advocate for legal measures to hold the accusers accountable.
Observers are closely watching the development, which could have wider political implications if the matter escalates into formal court proceedings.
