Senate Deputy President Denies $10M Bribe Allegations in NERC Chairman Confirmation Row
Senator Barau Jibrin, Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, has vowed to pursue legal action following accusations of accepting a $10 million bribe to obstruct the confirmation of Abdullahi Garba Ramat as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The controversy erupted when former members of the defunct Gawuna Campaign Organisation alleged that both Senator Barau and Senate President Godswill Akpabio received bribes to interfere with Ramat’s confirmation process. These claims were immediately challenged by the Tinubu/Barau Support Groups Coalition, which denounced them as baseless and politically motivated attacks.
During a press briefing, Coalition Convener Hafiz Sani Liman defended Senator Barau’s integrity, highlighting his track record of advocating for Kano indigenes in federal positions. Liman specifically refuted statements made by Hon. Muhammadu Badaru Umar and Alwan Hassan, dismissing their press conference as “filled with lies, mischief, misinformation, and fabrication.”
The confirmation process for Ramat is currently proceeding through official channels, with the Senate Committee on Power, under Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe’s leadership, having completed the screening phase. The committee’s report is expected to be presented to the Senate for consideration in the near future.
“Senator Barau remains a beacon of unity, integrity, and progress in Nigeria’s political landscape,” Liman emphasized, urging the public, particularly Kano residents, to dismiss the allegations. He added that the senator would not be deterred from his constitutional duties and commitment to serving both his Kano North constituency and the broader Nigerian nation.
The Coalition maintains that these accusations represent a calculated attempt to undermine Senator Barau’s reputation and his dedication to national development. They assert that his legislative record demonstrates consistent support for regional development initiatives and good governance practices.
Moving forward, Senator Barau’s legal team is expected to take action against the accusers, while the NERC chairman confirmation process continues through established parliamentary procedures.
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