‘I’m sorry’ – Osinbajo’s ex-aide apologises to Akpabio, Barau over bribery claim

Alwan Hassan, a former Special Adviser to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has tendered an apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin after reportedly accusing them of collecting a $10 million bribe to drop President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Abdullahi Ramat.

This is coming barely a week after the Senate threatened to sue him over the allegation, which had sparked outrage in political circles.

Hassan, while speaking to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja traced the controversy to his push for Ramat’s confirmation, recalling how the nominee was screened and recommended by the Senate Committee on Power before his name disappeared from the Order Paper.

He also admitted granting interviews in which he made disparaging claims against the Senate leadership and repeated rumours alleging they had received a $10 million bribe — a claim he now says was based on misleading conversations and false 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.

The APC chieftain also disclosed that he has retracted the allegation and is willing to tender a public apology to the Senate, Akpabio and Barau.

He also appealed to lawmakers to look beyond his recent excesses and revisit Ramat’s stalled appointment.

‘I’m sorry’ – Osinbajo’s ex-aide apologises to Akpabio, Barau over bribery claim