Alwan Hassan, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has issued a formal public statement retracting allegations he previously made against the leadership of the Nigerian Senate regarding the delayed confirmation of Engr. Abdullahi Ramat as Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Hassan’s statement came shortly after he was detained and questioned by the Nigerian Police Force over comments made in media interviews where he accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin of receiving bribes to stall the nominee’s confirmation.
In his new statement released on Tuesday, Hassan expressed profound gratitude to his political allies, including Hon. Farouq Adamu Aliyu, members of the APC, friends, family, and “well-meaning Nigerians” who supported him during the episode.
He described himself as a passionate advocate for democracy, youth empowerment, and strong institutions, reaffirming his loyalty to the ruling APC and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Hassan praised the President for empowering young Nigerians in government, citing examples such as Charles Odii of SMEDAN, Khalil Halilu of NASENI, Dr. Aminu Maida of the NCC, and Kashifu Inuwa of NITDA, among others.
According to him, these young leaders are “clear proof that when young people are trusted with responsibility, they excel.”
Hassan recalled that President Tinubu had nominated Engr. Abdullahi Ramat months ago to head NERC, and that the Senate Committee on Power had strongly recommended him for confirmation. However, the full Senate surprisingly stepped down the confirmation, prompting him—by his own account—to make inquiries and eventually launch a campaign in support of Ramat.
He stated that during the course of his advocacy, he relied on information from conversations that later turned out to be inaccurate. He admitted that this led him to make disparaging remarks about the Senate and to repeat an allegation that the leadership collected a $10 million bribe to delay the confirmation.
Hassan now says the claim was “untrue, unfair, and uncharitable” to the National Assembly and its leadership.
“I therefore retract that statement fully and unreservedly, and I apologise to the National Assembly and its leadership for those accusations,” he said.
He emphasized his respect for the legislature and described the episode as a learning moment, acknowledging the importance of tempering passion with responsibility.
Despite withdrawing his claims, Hassan again appealed to the Senate to give Engr. Ramat’s nomination “a second look,” insisting that the nominee is well-positioned to help reform Nigeria’s power regulation framework.
“As a patriotic Nigerian and proud son of Kano State, I believed I was championing what was right. I remain committed to constructive advocacy that strengthens our democracy,” he added.
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