The Senate has debunked claims that its leadership collected a $10 million bribe to block the confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Abdullahi Ramat.
Naijaonpoint learnt that the allegation was made by a former Special Adviser to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Alwan Hassan and another All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, stirring controversy over the confirmation process.
However, the Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, in a statement issued in Abuja, described the claims as baseless, insisting that the decision to step down Ramat’s screening was driven by “public and private complaints” lodged against the nominee, and not by any financial inducement.
Adaramodu emphasised that the Senate had stepped down nominees in the past following adverse petitions and would not be pressured into confirming any appointee under a cloud of public concern.
He also accused Hassan of attempting to blackmail the Senate and would be compelled in court to produce evidence of the alleged $10 million bribe.
Adaramodu stressed that the National Assembly would defend its integrity and maintained that lawmakers had no personal dealings with the nominee.
He said, “The attention of the Senate has been drawn to the uncoordinated cacophony of one innocuous Alwan Hassan, who is a hand-tool to one Mr Abdullah Garba Ramat. Refreshing the memories of Nigerians, Ramat is the yet, but hard to be confirmed Chief Executive of the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission.
“Many nominees have been stepped down due to such public outcry. The case of Mr Ramat is not an exemption.
“Alwan has ludicrously alleged that the Senate was compromised by yet to be disclosed ghosts to reject the nomination and confirmation of Ramat.
“For the unsuspecting public not to be persuaded by the satanic verses, the Senate wishes to state that Mr Garba Ramat has a baggage of public and private complaints against his nomination.
“No-one can drag the institution of the National Assembly into public opprobrium with unfathomable allegations in order to arm-twist the legislature. The Senate would definitely engage Mr Alwan at the court, to provide Nigerians with the proof of his assertions.
“We don’t know and had no prior encounter with Ramat, until his nomination came for screening. The Senate is bound to listen and consider any issues raised against him by the people, who he was nominated to serve.”
Meanwhile, Ramat’s confirmation remains suspended pending further legislative and public review.
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]