Sambo Refutes Political Interference Claims in 2013 Power Sector Privatisation

Former Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has dismissed recent allegations of political interference during the 2013 privatisation of Nigeria’s power sector, calling the claims “false, mischievous, and hypocritical.”

The allegations were reportedly made by former Minister of Budget and National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, who suggested that political interests influenced the selection of preferred bidders during the privatisation exercise.

In a statement issued by his personal secretary, Mr. Yinka Ibrahim, Sambo accused Usman of attempting to malign the Goodluck Jonathan administration and the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), which Sambo chaired at the time.

Describing Usman’s claims as “ridiculous,” Sambo insisted that the process was carried out with transparency and strict adherence to established rules. He emphasized that anti-graft agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC were involved in the privatisation process, and cited the resignation of the then Minister of Power over a conflict of interest as further proof of the integrity maintained.

Sambo challenged Dr. Usman to provide evidence or name individuals allegedly favoured politically, questioning why such accusations are only emerging more than a decade later. He also accused Usman of possibly trying to ingratiate himself with the current administration.

Concluding, Sambo warned President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Finance Wale Edun to be cautious of Dr. Usman’s motives, characterizing the remarks as “biting the hand that fed him.”