The Director of Media and Publicity, Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, on Monday, said the best thing that could happen to the PDP was to appoint a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, as the party’s national chairman.
The former national chairman of the party, Adamu Mu’azu, resigned on May 20 on health grounds. Since then, the deputy national chairman of the party, Chief Uche Secondus, has been acting as the national chairman of the party.
Fani-Kayode, who has changed his name to Olufemi Olu-Kayode following his acquittal of money laundering charges by a Federal High Court in Lagos, gave the advice on his official Twitter handle.
He said, “The best thing that our great party, the PDP, can do now is to draft in Nuhu Ribadu as our national chairman. We need credibility and strength.”
The PDP national convention, where the next Board of Trustees of the party would be selected, would hold in August.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe, however, said the next national chairman of the party should emerge through a democratic process.
Speaking with our correspondent in an interview on Monday, Ogunlewe maintained that in order to avoid past mistakes, internal democracy must prevail in choosing the next leader of the party.
Reacting to Fani-Kayode’s advice that Ribadu should be appointed as the party’s national chairman, he said, “I don’t know why Fani-Kayode made his recommendation but I think internal democracy must prevail.
“We must be very careful in appointing someone arbitrarily as the chairman. We must allow internal democracy to prevail. I think the next chairman should come from the North-East. Let there be a mini-congress and let those eyeing the position from the North-East zone signify their interest and let there be an election. Then whoever emerges as the national chairman can be presented. I believe there should be competition so that the best candidate can emerge.”
The pioneer Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State, Nuhu Ribadu has conceded defeat in the just concluded election, congratulating the winner and wishing him well in running the affairs of the state.
He said “I had dreamt of coming back home to lead our dear state to greater strides after years of underdevelopment. I started this journey in August last year and successfully got the mandate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to fly its flag for the April 11 gubernatorial election. I came into this race knowing fully well that political contests are two-way traffics – one either wins or loses. As a man of faith, I was also aware that leadership responsibility is a product of God’s anointment.
“In the course of this journey, I have seen genuine support and encouragement from the people of Adamawa state. Several individuals from Adamawa and beyond contributed generously to keep the campaign going and many others devoted their time, energy and intellect to see to the success of this project. I sincerely appreciate this belief in my person and my ambition.
“The support I got from my party’s leadership and individual members from President Goodluck Jonathan down to the party agents in our polling units was overwhelming and gratifying. The party leader in the state, Barrister Bala James Nggilari and the state party chairman, Chief Joel Madaki led their lieutenants in making this journey memorable.
“I came into this race with lofty dreams and clear vision for our dear state, but the voice of the majority has not given me this chance. I take this in good faith.
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the winner and pray that at the end of it all our dear state will witness the needed progress and development it so much desires.”
Former chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Tuesday, said the alleged missing N30 trillion under the watch of Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was not possible.
Ribadu made this known in an interview with the News Agency Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Nuhu Ribadu
“I was baffled and got deluded for anyone to say that N30 trillion got lost. I think we just have to look at what we earn as a country and what our budget had been in these few years and see how possible it is.
“If everything we earned is not up to that within the period she has been the minister, which is about three to four years, then we need to be careful.
“We need to be careful to avoid more damage to our nation, because there are certain things that when it comes out, it will never go back again”, he said.
Ribadu said while working under former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Okonjo-Iweala was the economic team leader and she coordinated the economic policy of the administration effectively.
“I challenge anybody to say that she stole N1 at that time; we were all there. I was in charge of EFCC and I want to hear anybody say that she did this and that.
“I followed her up till now. I think it is somehow uncharitable for someone to come out to say that such an amount of money was missing under her watch”, he said.
Ribadu, who is the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa, said controversies being raised about the nation’s economy was unfortunate, adding that Okonjo-Iweala was of impeccable integrity and well respected.
According to him, when I worked with her, she exhibited a nationalistic attitude that was not questionable and believed in any policy that could take Nigeria and its people high.
The former EFCC boss advised that people must advocate for things that were geared towards the unity of the country and avoid controversies that would cause more harm to the system.
“I am close to almost all of us that worked together as a team and I know that Ngozi continues to do what she knows how best to do, which is to serve Nigeria.
“She managed this economy fairly in spite of all the challenges and difficulties; it is sad for someone to look at Ngozi and said that she has a hand in it (alleged missing funds).
“This pull-down syndrome has to stop and we must manage ourselves very well; I am not happy now with what is going on and I think that if it is politics, I think it is something that is hurting us as people and hurting the economy as well”, he stated.
On allegation that the minister was executing World Bank /IMF policies in Nigeria, Ribadu said she had in no way done such, adding that having worked with the bank was an added advantage for Nigeria.
Former President Olusegun Obsanjo has sensationally linked the travails of Nuhu Ribadu, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to his refusal to marry late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s daughter.
Nuhu Ribadu
Yar’Adau’s daughters were famous for marrying big political figures, mostly governors.
Ribadu, then an assistant inspector general of police, was removed as EFCC chairman, demoted to the rank of deputy commissioner of police and eventually dismissed after a face-off with Yar’Adua.
It was generally believed then that Ribadu’s refusal to terminate the corruption trial of James Ibori, former governor of Delta state and Yar’Adua’s close ally, was responsible for his travails.
While not dismissing the link, Obasanjo has also suggested that Ribadu’s refusal to marry Yar’Adua’s daughter could have contributed to his maltreatment by the former president who died in 2010.
He also wrote in “My Watch”, his three-volume memoirs launched on Tuesday, that Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, thought to be the most powerful man in Yar’Adua’s government, had a fall-out with Ribadu over a woman who was said to be more interested in the former EFCC chairman.
Obasanjo further alleged that Babagana Kingibe had a personal fall-out with Nasir el-Rufai over the infidelity of one of Kingibe’s wives.
The retired general wrote: “It was revealed, for instance, that Tanimu’s main reason for wanting to fight Nuhu to a standstill was the allegation that a woman he was interested in marrying was showing more interest in Nuhu! I understand that Tanimu, in the end, married the lady, and I wondered if that would be the end of the war of attrition against Nuhu.
“This was about the same time that Umaru encouraged Nuhu to marry one of his daughters, an idea which Nuhu spurned. Could that have been partly responsible for Umaru’s fury?
“The Kingibe case as revealed is quite similar to Tanimu’s, as a woman is at the centre of it also. Nasir el-Rufai was accused of knowingly harbouring a boyfriend of one of Kingibe’s wives in his guest house, where this wife and her boyfriend would meet.
“If Nasir chose to make his house available to his friend out of hospitality, one wonders if he could also determine which guest, male or female, his friend would receive. It would have been a different case if Nasir himself was accused of dating Kingibe’s wife!”
Obasanjo further narrated how he was “blacked out” of Yar’Adua’s government at the instance of a “cabal”.
The former head of state revealed that a very close friend of the Villa and a member of Yar’Adua’s inner circle, a minister from Katsina, spent two nights in his house in Abeokuta after Yar’Adua’s death.
“What he told me, which may or may not have been true, was astounding, and for me another good lesson. It was sickening how Tanimu and Kingibe used government instruments at their disposal to settle personal scores.
“At first, it was the same men now in the corridors of power, like Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi and Baba Kingibe, who suddenly remembered ‘the evil’ I had done them in the past, which they wanted to avenge. For Tanimu, whom I appointed Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria on the recommendation of then Governor Umaru Yar’Adua, my offence was that I did not appoint him to run and handle the Yar’Adua Presidential Campaign and manage the campaign fund. From what I had seen of his performance at the Federal Mortgage Bank, I would not have made or allowed such an appointment.
“For Baba Kingibe his grouse, I came to hear, was that I had advised Umaru Yar’Adua to consider the background of the man he was proposing to appoint as the secretary to the government of the federation. Baba was rejected by the government of Cameroon, at one time, when he was proposed as Nigerian Ambassador; and when Shehu Yar’Adua and I were in Kirikiri Prison, Shehu did not have any good thing to say about Baba Kingibe.
“Umaru Yar’Adua told Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi and Baba Kingibe my impression of them and they went up in arms, aided and supported by two governors – Bukola Saraki and James Ibori – for their own personal and selfish reasons. There were other men and women who played supporting roles. I was neither worried nor have apologies for my views and impressions, which are well grounded in evidence.”
Obasanjo said Yar’Adua later sacked Kingibe when “overambition was noticed by his boss” at a time ill-health was taking its toll on the late president’s work.
With Yar’Adua’s health getting worse, intrigues ensured and members of the “cabal” went after anyone they perceived as close to Obasanjo, including the VP, Goodluck Jonathan, who was starved of information and access to the president.
Obasanjo wrote: “Tanimu confided in his friend, saying that they all realised that it was only a matter of time; the centre would not hold. Everybody then decided to make money for themselves before the centre collapsed; and they did so while the No. 2 man in government knew little or nothing about what was going on.
“He was kept in the dark. Government had been privatised by the cabal. For the whole of this period, the vice president could not chair a cabinet meeting, and he did not know how long the president would be away. During my administration, my VP chaired cabinet meetings any Wednesday that I was not physically in Abuja; and why not, after all if anything serious happened to me the VP should take over automatically.
“In this case, however, Yar’Adua’s VP was not even briefed of the president travelling out of the country. He was starved of funds for the maintenance of his office and residence and, in fact, unimaginably, was later called in to see the dead body of the president on his death bed. I know the plight of the VP because, on a few occasions, I had to encourage him to bear it by being patient.”
Obasanjo said the party also attacked him.
He wrote: “The amendment to the Peoples Democratic Party’s Constitution, which puts a former president who is a product of PDP as the chairman of the party’s board of trustees, was spearheaded by then Governors James Ibori, Makarfi and Chief Tony Anenih. Whatever their reason for that constitutional amendment, I was the one available to occupy the post.
“But when Umaru and members of his cabal, along with their associates, set about pulling down Obasanjo, they pursued it to the board of trustees. Chief Tony Anenih and James Ibori were fellow travellers. I personally gained nothing from being chairman of the board of trustees (BOT). If anything, it cost me in terms of time, resources, and effort to settle quarrels and feuds within the party.
“Nevertheless, I have derived benefits from the party as I became elected president of Nigeria on its platform; therefore, I should contribute whatever I can to the fortunes and sustenance of the party. But, having participated actively in bringing up my successor and my successor’s successor, I believe that I have adequately paid my dues. Nobody in Goodluck Jonathan’s camp, or sponsored or encouraged by them, is clamouring for my bowing out, but I personally believe in doing so while the ovation is loudest.”
Gunmen on Sunday kidnapped Mallam Sani Ribadu, a junior brother of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Nuhu Ribadu
A source said Sani was kidnapped in his farm along Fufore, about 15kilometres to Yola. There were fears the abduction might not be unconnected with politics.
Ribadu is one of the leading contenders for the governorship seat of the state said to be enjoying the support of the major stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party in Abuja and Yola.
Sani is said to have been seized during a routine inspection visit to his farm on Sunday.
But there was suspicion of political motives last night because Sani was rated as “central to the campaign coordination of the ex-EFCC chairman.”
Apart from being a former chairman of Yola South Local Government Area, Sani Ribadu was also a former member of Adamawa State House of Assembly.
“The ex-LGA chairman was abducted and his car left intact on the farm. We cannot locate his whereabouts,” a source hinted last night.
“Apart from alerting the police, a search team has been put in place.”
“We are suspecting that he might have been targeted. But it is too early to draw any conclusion.”
The Special Assistant on Media to the ex-EFCC chairman, Mallam Abdulazeez Abdulazeez, who spoke with our correspondent at about 10pm, said: “It is true that some gunmen kidnapped Oga’s brother or cousin to put it in better perspective.”
– See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/ribadus-brother-kidnapped-yola/#sthash.SwxmuLHe.dpuf
A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and seven other governorship aspirants in Adamawa State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, have been asked to shelve their ambition till 2015.
Nuhu Ribadu
Ribadu and the seven aspirants are therefore not taking part in the party’s governorship primary scheduled to hold in Yola on Saturday.
This decision was taken at the Presidential Villa, Abuja in the early hours of Friday after about four hours of meeting with the 14 aspirants by the leadership of the party including the Senate President, David Mark.
Apart from Ribadu, others who have agreed to step down include Auwal Tukur, Aliyu Idi-Hong, Andrawus Sawa, James Barka, Aliyu Kama, Markus Gundiri and Abubakar Girei.
Those who will slug it out on Saturday at the primary are Jerry Kumdisi, Ahmed Gulak, Buba Marwa, Dr. Umaru Ardo, Ahmed Modibbo and Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri.
It was agreed at the meeting that those who stepped down would vie for the position in 2015 while those who are contesting now would not be part of those who will vie for the position next year.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Chairman of the Adamawa State chapter of the party, Mr. Joel Madaki said, “The number of aspirants contesting for the position earlier have now reduced form 14 to six due to the outcome of this meeting. It is a very welcome idea. Nobody was forced to step down. Those who stepped down did so voluntarily in order to wait to contest for the position in 2015.
“The six aspirants contesting this election are Ahmed Gulak, Buba Marwa, Ahmed Modibbo, Dr. Umar Ardo, Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri, and Jerry Kumdisi.”
The former Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Gulak, also corroborated Madaki’s comments.
He said, “The outcome of the meeting was fantastic. We met as family members of PDP, even before coming here all the aspirants in Adamawa have unanimously resolved that after the primary, in a free, fair primary, anybody that emerges will get our support.
“Today, in this meeting, the number of the aspirants has been drastically reduced to six, which is manageable. I am contesting, Marwa is contesting, Ahmed Modibbo is contesting, Dr. Umar Ardo is contesting, Hon. Jerry Kumdisi is contesting, and Acting Governor Fintiri is contesting.
“And at the end of it all, anybody that emerges, we will all queue behind him. And if I emerge as the candidate, they will all queue behind me. It is going to be a family affair and there will be no losers.”
SOME governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have started making moves to stop a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, from emerging as the party’s governorship candidate in Adamawa State.
Nuhu Ribadu
The governors, who were part of a meeting in the Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on Monday night, believed that it would be dangerous to allow Ribadu to get near the Presidency and the PDP.
The former EFCC chairman defected from the All Progressives Congress to the ruling party on August 16 and a few days after, he picked the PDP nomination form for Adamawa State governorship election scheduled for October 12.
He thereafter applied for a waiver to enable him take part in the primaries which will hold on September 6.
It was also gathered that the governors used the opportunity of their meeting to discuss others issues, including President Goodluck Jonathan’s chances in 2015.
One of the governors, who was at the meeting but asked not to be named, told two journalists, including our correspondent, that some of them also agreed that it would be dangerous for the PDP to field Ribadu as the party’s governorship candidate for the Adamawa State election .
He said they were also not sure if Ribadu, who was the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria presidential candidate in 2011, was not being planted in the ruling party with the aim of spying on the Federal Government.
‘‘He can be uncontrollable and can explode anytime,” the governor said, adding that some of his colleagues were of the opinion that it was wrong for Jonathan’s Principal Secretary, Alhaji Hassan Tukur, to impose Ribadu on the party and the people of the state.
Tukur and a woman minister in charge of one of the key ministries are believed to be instrumental in the former EFCC chairman’s decision to dump the APC for the PDP.
The PDP governors were said to have insisted that if Tukur was passionate about Adamawa State, he could as well obtain a nomination form to contest the position either now or in 2015.
Our source vowed on Monday that he and some of his colleagues had resolved not to support Ribadu for the position.
He said they believed that it would be difficult for Ribadu to be allowed to come closer to the seat of power because of his antecedents.
Asked if it would be better for him to be given a ministerial position since he has joined the ruling party, the governor answered in the negative.
He said, “It is not ideal for the man (Ribadu) to come close to us at all. We still don’t know why Hassan Tukur is insisting on the man.
“We can’t trust him for anything. Look at the auditing job given to him concerning the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation? Do you know the problem that report caused this government?
“Before Ribadu submitted the report, he had leaked it to all the embassies in the country. Will it therefore not be wrong to have such a man close to the government he had denounced and condemned in the past?”
He said the position of the governors was capable of affecting the waiver that Ribadu was seeking from the leadership of the PDP to enable him to take part in the governorship primaries in his state.
Under the constitution of the party, new members and returnees are not qualified to seek elective positions until after two years ─ except they get a waiver.
Section 50 (9) of the PDP constitution says, “There shall be a minimum of two year membership span for a member to be eligible to stand for election into any public office, unless the appropriate executive committee gives a waiver or rules to the contrary.”
Our correspondent gathered that the members of the National Working Committee of the PDP were sharply divided on whether to grant him waiver or not.
While some NWC members were said to have favoured that he (Ribadu), Buba Marwa and Marcus Gundiri be granted waivers, others were said to have rejected the move.
But the PDP said it had not foreclosed the issue of waiver for Ribadu and others.
The members of the NWC are expected to meet in Abuja on Wednesday (today) and there were speculations that the matter would come up.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, who spoke with our correspondent on Tuesday, said , “The issue of waiver is not a problem.
“We the members of the NWC are meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and if the matter comes up as part of the agenda, we will discuss it.
“Waiver is not a problem at all. So, wait until after the meeting on Wednesday. Like I said, if it comes up, we will discuss it.”
However, a source close to the former EFCC chairman said he might use his contacts among some of the governors to reach out to others.
He said Ribadu was a close friend of at least three of the PDP governors
He listed the governors as Ibrahim Shema(Katsina), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom). Ironically, Akpabio is the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
“These are his friends among the PDP governors and they will definitely try to speak for him,” the source added.
Meanwhile, a leader of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bola Tinubu, has said he does not bear any grudge against Ribadu for defecting to PDP.
He twitted, “Ribadu remains a friend and brother. He is mature. He remains one who believes in liberty, justice and service. I wish him luck with GOODLUCK.’’
NAIJA CENTER NEWS had published a statement from the Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso who said that Ribadu to return to PDP, where he had accused the political leaders are fraud and most corrupt during his time as the Chairman of EFCC, would be regrettable.
Similarly, the Rivers State APC also said that Ribadu’s decision to return to where his enemies are was suicidal and one of his greatest mistake
Former presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has explained why he abandoned his presidential ambition to contest the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Adamawa State governorship poll.
Nuhu Ribadu
Ribadu, who spoke with journalists after he submitted his nomination form at the national headquarters of the PDP in Abuja on Monday, said that his desire to serve at any level propelled him to drop his initial ambition.
Ribadu, who was a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, said, “Everything in my life has been about public service. I’m prepared to serve in any capacity.
“If you ask me to come and be a sweeper of any street in any part of the country, I’m ready to do that. I don’t even have power of my own in any part.”
Asked whether he was worried that the PDP was yet to grant him and other defected aspirants waivers needed to contest the primary, he said no.
”I am not worried about the waiver. I have followed the rules. I am a law and order person. I have done my own bit and I will wait for the party to do their own. That part is not my responsibility,” he said.
Under the constitution of the party, new members and returnees are not qualified to seek elective positions until after two years, except they get a waiver.
Section 50 (9) of the PDP constitution says, “There shall be a minimum of two year membership span for a member to be eligible to stand for election into any public office, unless the appropriate executive committee gives a waiver or rules to the contrary.”
Meanwhile, other aspirants have insisted that the party must conduct proper primary to choose the party’s candidate for the October 11 election.
The aspirants spoke when they came to also submit their nomination forms to the party’s national leadership, which was received by the National Organisation Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha.
The aspirants included the former Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Modibbo; Acting Governor of the state, Ahmed Fintiri; former Presidential Adviser, Ahmed Gulak; and the former ACN governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Marcus Gundiri.
Others are former Lagos State Military Administrator, Buba Marwa; Dr. Umar Ardo, Senator Ahmed Girei, Gen. A.A.Kana (retd.), Awwal Tukur and Aliyu Idi-Hong.
Modibbo said, “People should be allowed to contest. We should not pay too much attention to consensus. Our tragedy in the state was that we did not do the proper thing when we chose the past leader.”
Two gubernatorial aspirants in the Adamawa State by election, Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and former Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Dr. Ahmad Modibbo both publicly declared their intention to contest the by election.
Nuhu Ribadu
Our correspondent report that vehicular movement were brought to a standstill for close to four hours as a mammoth crowd of supporters of Ribadu from the 21 Local Government escorted him from airport to the state secretariat where he announced his intention to contest the scheduled Adamawa Governorship By Election.
On arrival at the airport, Ribadu was escorted to the party secretariat by PDP executives and chieftains from his ward and local government as well as other party chieftains from the 21 local government areas of the state.
Some of the party chieftains present at the occasion include former state lawmakers led by former speaker Abubakar Abdullahi, former local government chairmen, ex-councillors and senior political associate of the immediate impeached governor Murtala Nyako where 42 vehicles were donated to him by his supporters.
Dr. Ahmad Modibbo who also declared his intent to contest the gubernatorial race at the PDP secretariat in Yola yesterday, said he is there to serve the people of Adamawa.
Modibbo who accompanied by party executive from his ward as well as his spouse who was the member representing Yola South, Yola North and Girei Federal Constituency said he mission to join the race was due to popular agitation by people from various nooks and crannies to give his quota to the development of the state.
He further promised to use his 35 year working experience to salvage the state from the realm of backwardness adding that if given the mandate, he will transform the educational sector as a panacea to reducing social restiveness.
ADAMAWA STATE – AHEAD the October 11 gubernatorial election in Adamawa State, strong indications emerged yesterday that the presidency may have bowed to criticisms trailing its support for former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, just as it has made a U- Turn on him.
Nuhu Ribadu
It was gathered yesterday that for fear of any gang up against Ribadu if he emerges the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP by other aggrieved aspirants and party leaders, the presidency was said to have now soft- pedalled on Ribadu.
Speculations have been on that Ribadu was drafted into the Adamawa governorship race by the Presidency on the recommendation of the Principal Private Secretary to the President, Ambassador Hassan Tukur. The presidential aide and Ribadu were classmates who have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with each other.
Meanwhile, former military administrator of Lagos and Borno States, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa,rtd) yesterday declared that he will contest the governorship race of Adamawa state under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party adding that he will win the seat for the Party in the bye election slated for October 11 this year.
Disclosing that he was sure of getting the party’s waiver to contest the election, General Marwa said that the decampment of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu who is being touted as ‘anointed candidate’ as well as others, posed no threat to his ambition.
Also, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Barrister Ahmed Gulak has warned that imposition would have a disastrous effect on the chance of the party in winning the state’s guber election, stressed that the least anybody could wish the people at this trying moment was for them to be allowed to choose their leader.
However, following the support from the Presidency, Ribadu who was the 2011 Presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and a Chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APCRibadu, picked his governorship form through his political associate, Hammidu Mahmud, at the national secretariat of the PDP in Abuja where he told Journalists that he was not aware that President Goodluck Jonathan had anointed him as the party’s governorship candidate.
According to him, “We are not aware that the president wants Ribadu, it was some PDP chieftains in the state who called on Ribadu to come and contest for the governorship of the state. So the question of the president wanting Ribadu does not arise in the case.”
It will be recalled that the Presidency, particularly the PPS has neither denied nor confirmed the speculations, Ribadu has consistently denied that he was running for the governorship of Adamawa on the strength of an alleged presidential support.
Ribadu who has just joined the party must get a waiver from the PDP in line with PDP’s constitution, Section 50 (9) which says: “There shall be a minimum of two year membership span for a member to be eligible to stand for election into any public office, unless the appropriate executive committee gives a waiver or rules to the contrary.”
According to a member of Board of Trustees, BoT of PDP from the South-South zone and a member of the president’s inner caucus, “The race in the coming days is likely to be very interesting but we have all resolved to be very careful because in politics, you cannot take chances, especially ones that are likely to jeopardize the chances of your party.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a source said was waiting for aggrieved members of PDP who will kick when Ribadu eventually becomes the PDP candidate as he was said to be waiting to lure them to the APC.
Those who bought forms according to the record at the Mobilisation office in the office of the National Organising Secretary and obtained by Saturday Vanguard yesterday are the Acting Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri; a three time gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Umar Ardo; former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Senator Abubakar Girei; former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak; Erstwhile Military Administrator of Lagos and Borno States, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa and former Minister of Statement Foreign Affairs, Dr. Aliyu Idi- Hong. Others are the immediate Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Dr. Ahmed Modibbo Mohammed; Son of former PDP National Chairman, Awwal Bamanga
Tukur; Marcus Natina Gundiri; James Shuiabu Barka; Jerry Kundusi; Engr. Brig. Gen. A.A.V. Kana and Andrawus Sawa.
The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says the exit of the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and 2011 Presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu from the All Progressives Congress, APC is the last straw that breaks the back of the Party (APC) as it steadily retrogresses into extinction.
Nuhu Ribadu
While appreciating and welcoming the former APC chieftain back into his first choice party, the PDP, where he naturally belongs as a Nigerian patriot, the party said Mallam Nuhu Ribadu should be commended for his foresight and courage to dump the sinking APC for the PDP.
Describing the PDP as the only national umbrella large and conducive enough to accommodate genuine Nigerian leaders who are committed to national development and the unity of one indivisible Nigeria, the party through a statement signed by Jerry Needam, Special Adviser on Media to the State chairman, Price Felix Obuah said the stage is now set for the arch political rivals and self-seeking Gen Muhammadu Buhari, Sen Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Alh. Atiku Abubakar to continue their leadership tussle that is sure to tear the APC to pieces.
By dissociating himself from these overzealous politicians, the PDP notes, Mallam Ribadu has demonstrated a true sense of patriotism and commitment to serve the people and his fatherland which can only be guaranteed under a purposeful platform like the PDP.
The Party is convinced also that as a man of principle, Mallam Ribadu will take advantage of the numerous affordable opportunities open to every spirited member of the Party to continue to project its tenets and ideals, noting with contentment, his recent remarks and description of Governor Amaechi as a man hungry for power, so desperate to rule against popular opinion, without knowing how to go about it.
While commending Ribadu’s doggedness and efforts in ensuring the success of the Party in the Governorship contest in the October elections in Adamawa State, the Rivers PDP urges his dejected colleagues in the APC, particularly Governor Amaechi, to learn to read the handwriting on the wall which points to the overwhelming successes of the PDP, expressing optimism that the party will emerge victorious in not only State elections, but at the national level, where President Jonathan will have a smooth sail into his second term.
The PDP notes that from every indication, particularly with the latest dumping of the APC by its pioneer members, including Femi Fani Kayode, Shakarau, among others, the like of Governor Amaechi will be left alone in the wrecked ship, believing it will only be wise for him (Amaechi) and his negligible few co-travellers to swallow their pride, apologise and seek readmission into the PDP.
ABUJA — THE prospect of the 2011 presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, contesting the forthcoming gubernatorial primaries of the Adamawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was in jeopardy, yesterday, following the failure of the PDP’s National Working Committee, NWC, to discuss a waiver for him.
Besides, Ribadu who joined the party this week, others likely to be affected include former military governor of Lagos State, Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd); and Marcus Gundiri, who recently returned to the party.
Besides, Vanguard confirmed last night that 15 aspirants had collected the Expression of Interest form to contest the PDP primaries for the governorship election that was triggered by the impeachment of Admiral Murtala Nyako last month.
Multiple sources at the meeting of the NWC told Vanguard last night that the issue of a waiver was not discussed at the meeting.
Prior to yesterday’s meeting of the NWC, hopes were high for Ribadu, who had collected his Expression of Interest and nomination forms that the issue would be discussed having applied for a waiver in line with Section 50 of the party’s constitution.
says statement was fabricated by mischievous characters
By Ehi Ekhator, Naija Center News
Contrary to reports by some part of the media (Not NAIJA CENTER NEWS) that the former EFCC boss, Nuhu Ribadu, who defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Parties, lambasted the governor of Kano State, Rabiu kwankwaso and his counterpart, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, the Adamawa governorship contestant has denied issuing such statement.
Nuhu Ribadu
In a Statement he posted on his Facebook wall on Tuesday, Ribadu appealed to who he referred to as ”my friends” to understand his decision as it was carefully thought and do not wish to hurt anyone’s feelings.
He said ”I know how difficult it may be for you to come to terms with my defection to another party. But I must assure you that it’s a carefully considered decision for which I do not wish to hurt anyone’s feeling. I’ll not embark on a needless animosity with my good friends, irrespective of political, religious, regional and ethnic affiliations.
The former EFCC boss denied issuing a statement that disregard APC and its members, adding that it was fabricated.
He said ”Let me quickly make it known that I did not issue a statement disparaging APC and its members, including Governors Amaechi, Kwankwaso… These were clearly fabricated, expected backlash, by mischievous characters interested in misleading the public and drawing a picture of non-existent feuds between me and my good friends.”
He appealed to the APC and said ”My defection shouldn’t be seen as an initiation of political antagonism with my good friends in another party. I still hold them in high esteem, and even where there are marked differences, I believe there are decorous and honorable ways of resolving them. So, kindly disregard any statement said to be by me attacking the personality of any politician since my defection. I’ll never allow myself to be drawn into such disrespectful exchange.
”As for my next step in this political struggle, this would be made known in due time. For now, I wish to assure you that my defection is in pursuit of a good cause, and never out of any selfish interests as portrayed by a section. Thanks for bearing with me on this decision, and for those who have been in solidarity with my struggles and still giving me the benefits of the doubt, I’m most grateful. I’ll never let you down on this new path. Thank you!”
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who just defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party said he has applied to the national leadership of the ruling party to grant him waiver in order to enable him contest the party’s governorship primary in Adamawa State.
Ribadu
Ribadu, a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, said this on Monday when he picked the party’s Expression of Interest Form in Abuja.
The form will enable him contest the governorship primary of the party in the state on Sep. 6.
Ribadu’s form was picked for him by his political associate, Alhaji Ahmidu Mahmoud.
Mahmoud, who spoke with journalists after he payed N11m for the form, said Ribadu was ready for the party’s primary adding that he was confident of getting the waiver.
He said, “I’m here on behalf of Ribadu to purchase the nomination form on his behalf in order to enable him contest the governorship primary in Adamawa State.
“We have commenced the process of getting waiver. The waiver clause in the party’s constitution was not inserted because of him.
“He is expected to enjoy the waiver. We have applied for the waiver and we expect that he would get it.”
He dispelled the rumour making the rounds that Ribadu was banking on the support of President Goodluck Jonathan to win the primary and the election, which the Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed for October 11, 2014.
“We are not aware that the President wants him, but some PDP chieftains in our state called him. He doesn’t need to have any structure on ground to win. He is ready to contest the primary,” Mahmoud added.
Our correspondent gathered that Ribadu’s plea for waiver letter, which he addressed to the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu was dated August 16.
The letter, which was sighted by our correspondent read in part, “I wish to humbly write to apply for a clearance/waiver to enable me aspire for position on the platform of this great party.
“As a fresher in the party, I have duly obtained my membership, paid required dues. I hereby tender photocopies, including my voter’s card for your necessary action.”
A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Sunday justified his defection from the opposion All Progressives Congress to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, saying the APC was not better than the PDP.
Ribadu, who was the 2011 presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, forerunner of the APC, said there was no difference between the PDP and APC, in terms of the character of the people who constituted both parties.
The ex-EFFC chairman, who spoke through his spokesman, Mr. Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, said this while fielding questions from one of our correspondents in Abuja.
He said, “In Nigeria, especially in politics, you can’t say that this is an exclusive party for the people who are thieves or this is for good people.
“It’s just like saying that all Yorubas are this or all Igbos are this. In every group of people, there must be good people and there are bad people. Of course, the good may be more than the bad or the bad may be more than the good in any group.
“But there is no any party that is exclusively for the good people or for the bad people.”
He said that his defection was not borne out of his desperation to realise his political ambition but was based on his patriotic zeal to serve the country and its people.
Abdulaziz said, “It is not true that he (Ribadu) was desperate to realise his political ambition. This is because this decision was taken in the overriding interest of serving the people.
“What matters for him is service. That is why even when he was a member of the opposition party, when government asked him to serve the country, he accepted the offer and he did a wonderful job that everybody hailed except those who don’t want change in the system.
“If you are ready to serve the people, sometimes you will have to do something that is not even palatable to yourself.”
But one of Ribadu’s close political associates in Yola told one of our correspondents that Ribadu’s defection had more to do with his governorship ambition and the alleged failure of the APC to give him the expected support and compensate him for his “sacrifices” for the party.
The source said part of Ribadu’s sacrifices, which he said the APC had failed to reciprocate, was his offer to step down for the then presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the 2011 election and also his role in “wooing some governors to join the APC”.
The source linked Ribadu’s defection to his unresolved grievances against the APC, which the source made the ex-presidential candidate to succumb to pressure mounted on him by people, including the Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Mu’azu; Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and a Principal Secretary in the Presidency, Hassan Tukur, to join the PDP.
The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has said it is not aware that the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial a Crimes Commission, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu has defected to the party from the All Progressives Congress.
Nuhu Ribadu
It said that though there were rumours that he had defected to the party, Ribadu was yet to formally defect to the ruling party.
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Ibrahim Jalo, who spoke with our correspondent in Abuja on Saturday, said because of this, there was no way the party would react to the rumour of his defection or not.
He said, “We have not been told that he has defected. There are rumours here and there, but as I speak with you, we have not been told he has moved.
“It is after the official defection that we can be able to say whether he had moved or not and whether he will get waiver or not. Even at that, he has to ask for the waiver.”
Ribadu is under pressure from the national leadership of the party and the Presidency to defect and contest the governorship election of Adamawa State under the platform of the ruling PDP.
The former chairman of the EFCC was the presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria in 2011.
Our correspondent learnt in Abuja that those who have so far indicated interest to contest the election under the platform of the PDP are the former Military Administrator of Lagos State, General Buba Marwa, former Senator representing Adamawa Central, Abubakar Girei, a former Political Adviser to the President, Ahmed Gulak, and former Minister, Idi Hong.
Others include: Dr. Umar Ardo, former Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Ahmed Modibo, Mr. Markus Gundiri and the son of former PDP national chairman, Mr. Awual Tukur.
The acting Governor, Bala Ngilari has also announced his intention to contest following the pressure he received from 13 of his colleagues from the State House of Assembly.
The Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso has described the planned action of the former Chairman of the Economic and Finacial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a big political mistake.
Rabiu Kwankwaso
The governor disclosed this while addressing journalists in his office yesterday. He described Ribadu as a man of intergrity but warned that he will be the biggest loser should he go through with his plans.
Kwankwaso said “Ribadu is widely known as a man of integrity and I can remember that when he was the chairman of EFCC, he did his job very well. My advice to him is not to join the PDP because at the end, he will be the biggest loser.”
He reminded Ribadu that those in PDP were those he previously indicted for corruption when he was the chairman of EFCC, adding that they will end up haunting him after luring him to join them.
“Most of those in the PDP were indicted for corruption by him and now they want him to join them; I believe at the end, they will also begin to haunt him.
“If he joins their party, which I believe he cannot make that mistake, but if he joins them, that means all what we are talking about him is wrong. In my opinion it will be a big political mistake.”
Kwankwaso added: “In my own opinion, it will be better for him to remain in the All Progressive Congress (APC) because people see him as man of his word not someone who is going to be desperate for power.”
Commenting on the result of the National Conference, Kwankwaso said “Any constitution other than 1999 Constitution, I don’t think it will certainly help this country. We told our delegates to reject any new constitution apart from the 1999 Constitution.
“People should come together to rescue the country. I know some people are trying to amend the constitution for single term of six years. It is unfortunate for them to use their agents and smuggle it.”
Kwankwaso, though said the 1999 constitution can only help Nigeria, accused those he said are at the top of taking advantage and exploiting the weakness of the constitution against the Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura.
Pointing out one of his complains in the constitution, Kwankwaso said it was bad for democracy for the state house of Assembly to have the power to impeach a state governor or speaker.
Kwankwaso confidently said that the people of the country who are hungry for a change would vote for APC in 2015.
Presidential Candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria in the 2011 election, Nuhu Ribadu, is set to dump the All Progressives Congress for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Vanguard can authoritatively reveal.
Nuhu Ribadu
The switch in party is to enable the former Economic and Financial Crimes Commissioner boss to secure the PDP gubernatorial ticket and contest the election slated for next year.
Competent party sources in Yola and Abuja confirmed that necessary steps had been put in place to enable the anti-graft czar to actualise his ambition of ruling the state under the PDP platform.
One of the top sources confirmed to Vanguard that barring any last minute hitch, Nuhu Ribadu had concluded arrangements to defect to the ruling PDP on Thursday this week.
Although Ribadu had since made up his mind to dump the APC for PDP, sources close to him said that he needed to get the approval of the President before throwing his hat into the political ring.
The President, according to competent sources, gave a tacit approval last weekend for Ribadu to cross over to the PDP for the purpose of flying the party’s gubernatorial flag in the next election.
Two meetings were reportedly hosted in Abuja and Kaduna by those delegated by the Presidency to herald Ribadu into the PDP’s fold and assure him that he would be granted waivers to be able to run as its flag bearer.
In the Abuja meeting, a PDP chieftain from Adamawa Southern Senatorial Zone invited a couple APC chairmen from Adamawa together with a handful of former members of the state House of Assembly during the tenure of Governor Boni Haruna in the company of three members of the current PDP state EXCO with Ribadu in attendance.
The PDP bigwig, who happens to come from the same local government area with a top aide to Jonathan, informed the gathering that he was personally directed by Mr President to invite them to the meeting and inform them that the defection of Ribadu to PDP had the full support of the first citizen.
The Abuja meeting convener also said that all that they were required to do was to return to their wards and mobilise delegates in readiness for the party’s primaries that would soon take place.
The convener assured them that they should not be worried about the entry of the former EFCC boss into the race at the late hour since the party hierarchy was willing to grant him the needed waiver to scale through the race.
The meeting in Kaduna was coordinated by Ribadu’s close ally and former Minister in the Buhari’s government and had the son of a former PDP Chairman in attendance.
The development is said to have jostled other gubernatorial hopefuls in the state, who had worked round the clock to oust Murtala Nyako in order to have a smooth sail into the Government House.
It was not clear as at last night if the wave of opposition against Ribadu would thin down in the days ahead.
Contacted, one of Ribadu’s aides claimed that he was aware of his master’s intention to cross over to PDP but did not know the exact date.
By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North & Levinus Nwabughiogu
His story evokes emotions as he told it. He sat on his sofa in his large sitting room telling it. For the first time since he was impeached in December 2005, subsequently incarcerated, freed and finally granted a state pardon by President Goodluck Jonathan on March 12, 2013, he has not told the story of his travails.
But in this meeting with a Vanguard team of two last week after several unfruitful attempts in the last four months, the former governor of Bayelsa State and Governor-General of Ijaw Nation in the Niger delta, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, popularly called DSP opened up in a manner that will stun anyone who is familiar with his ordeals. For instance, there is this widely held impression that he returned to Nigeria during those trying days disguised as a woman and that he embezzled billions of Naira.
But here, Alamaesigha, who is also a delegate at the on-going National Conference said all were blatant lies against him. He fingered former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the mastermind of his dilemma.
He also, did not spare the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Malam Nuhu Ribadu. But on a more humane note, Alamaesigha said that late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was his man Friday who saved him from the pangs of death. Excerpt: His take on the National Conference
The conference has been very eventful and educative. Quite frankly, one is more appreciative of the country-Nigeria.
Clearly, what I personally observed is that we do not know this country very well. People placed in position of responsibility must take time out to go round this country. They must know the geography of this country so that when people are talking about desertification, they will understand. When we are talking about gully erosion, people will understand. When we talk of environmental degradation as a result of oil exploration and exploitation, they will understand. When people say, they can’t have drinking water, they will understand because it is polluted.
When peoples’ livelihood is destroyed, you will understand. When people talk about ocean surge, they will understand because when you talk about onshore/offshore, unless you ask people like us whose platforms that were once on land are right now in the deep sea. They have been eaten off by the ocean. Bayelsa state has the longest coast line, 203 kilometers open to the Atlantic, all the villages around the bank of the Atlantic Ocean, most of them have been wiped out.
You hear of Kolama 1, Kolama 2. When you hear 2, that means 1 has been wiped out. When we tell people that every two years, you have to change the roof of your house because of acid rain, you will not appreciate. To construct one kilometer of road is about a billion Naira in the typical Niger Delta, we are not talking of political Niger Delta. This oil we are getting; the money we are sharing from this oil is in the swamps. So, it is important we educate ourselves the more.
Now, how has the conference helped in addressing these issues?
Yes, when people are educated, they have sympathy for what you are saying. So, in this country, our major problem is not understanding one another.
If we understand the peculiar problems, then you can negotiate. Give or take, we are our brothers keepers. We can collectively solve problems confronting a particular area but where you don’t know, everybody will not be arguing from the position of strength. But there is an agreement somehow. So, it is a very good opportunity.
Is the agreement between the north and the south as it were?
I do not want to divide this country along north and south. First and foremost, we are all Nigerians and we are gathered to solve Nigerian problem. The north is not a block that is problem free. There are a lot of minorities that are suffering. They are being marginalized in terms of appointments and development. But they are within the geographical area called the north.
His take on the derivation controversy
(Fetching and reading from a script) This is my intervention on derivation at the conference. It says the Economic foundation of federalism in a multinational country like Nigeria is the enjoyment of autonomy by the federating units, that is the states, as was the practice between 1964 to 1969 in Nigeria.
This practice was truncated by the military regimes for the expediency of resource needs to prosecute the Nigerian civil war and was not reversed at the end of the civil war in 1970. Instead, it was promoted to the point where the federal government was vested with total powers to expropriate and control the natural resources of the federating units.
In consequence therefore, the federal government neglected to develop and exploit the various natural resources t in all the 36 states and the federal capital territory of Nigeria.
Solid minerals ranging from gold, coal, marble, bitumen, etc, are found in commercial quantities in all the geopolitical zones. This means every state has the capacity to survive on its natural resources apart from depending on the non renewable crude oil and gas.
The general misconception is that people think resource control is applicable to only oil and gas found in the Niger Delta. Thus, whenever the issue of resource ownership and control is raised in Nigeria, the generality of the people are uncomfortable and often oppose it as if the survival of this country depends on oil and gas.
Countries like Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, etc do not have minerals or solid minerals but have very robust economy. Those demanding for ownership and control of their natural resources are not greedy. These are necessary measures for the development and exploitation of the abandoned critical natural and human resources.
The development will not only increase the over all wealth of Nigeria but also make for a sensible long range and carefully programmed exploitation of our oil reserves to preserve, protect and safeguard the environment from further degradation.
The entire country will benefit from it through job creation, contracts, trades, industry and social service. This is what this type of fiscal federalism has done for the United states of America whose constitution we have adopted but ignored to operate it properly through a suffocating military imposed unitary constitution of 1999.
I wish to remind the honorable conference that whereas the United States of America has oil and gas far more than Nigeria, its economy depends on agriculture, manufacturing, industry and technology. It is for this reason that every delegate should support the need for states to own and control their resources and pay a negotiated tax to the federal government in the spirit of fiscal federalism.
I recommend a system in which the federating states will have 100 % ownership and control of their natural and other strategic resources. This principle is based on the firm belief that all states and sections of this country are abundantly endowed in mineral and non-mineral resources that should be owned and exploited by the states and communities where they are found.
Two: an interim bridging arrangement be considered whereby each federating state should start with 50 % of derivation and gradually move up in a phase and coordinated manner until the 100% bench mark is attained. The transition period should be between 5 and 10 years.
Three: During the transition years, a trust fund of 4.5 % as agreed by conference be established to develop other minerals, agriculture, industry and other commercial enterprises that will enable all states and regions of the country to become economically strong and competitive. The 4.5 percent devoted to the trust fund shall be negotiated with the revenue distributing states in the sprit of equity, unity, fraternity and national cooperation. This is my intervention.
The committee has recommended status quo on derivation and we know why. That committee was badly constituted. Only 6 members were from the south. The rest came from the north.
In which country of the world is this kind of fiscal federalism, which is like 100 percent resource ownership actively practiced now?
Every state in America is independent. In fact, Los Angeles is the fourth largest economy in the world but it is just a state.
With your experience in politics, governance and everything, what really worries you about Nigeria today?
It is national security. That bothers me because there is no way a country can develop and attract foreign investments without peace in the country. And I feel very bad. People are running away from this country. With our level of development, we cannot be on our own.
We need people from outside to assist us. But with what is happening, you can only invest in a place where you expect a return on investment. If the risk is so high, nobody will come and invest and that is the problem. The three northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, in the next 20 years, they will not recover. Already, we are hearing that the rate of school dropout is already 75 percent now. Those states are finished.
But we have a government and security agencies in place to solve this insecurity problem. Would be it right to say that the present government has failed or that it inherited the problem?
Terrorism is global. Only a few countries in this world are in peace now. It just that it is new to us. And our military is not trained in that type of warfare. We are used to conventional warfare. Your enemy is at the other side. You are on this this side.
Whoever that has superior training and fire power overruns the enemy. But we are now fighting asymmetric, kinetic warfare. The enemy is within us. So, conventional tactics cannot work and we must have a robust anti-terrorism agency. A national anti-terrorism agency has to be created.
So, in other words, this is not this administration’s making ?
No. It right now has international dimension. It is not just Nigeria. Where is the fund coming from? Where are they getting the sophisticated weapons? We have people that have created safe haven for these people to operate. When we had problems in the Niger Delta, there was no militant camp that I, Alamaesigha did not sleep.
I went round: from Ondo State through Edo to Delta, to Bayelsa to Rivers state. There is no militant camp that I did not go to persuade them to drop their arms. It is not happening in the north. They have all ran away from their places. They are all in Abuja. So, they want Mr. President to carry a riffle and go to Chibok or Sambisa forest? Haba!
Some school of thought has it that the development has a religious connotation. Some also believe it is political. Last week, a group of northern Christain elders gathered in Abuja and declared that enough is enough in the killing of Christians. How may you react?
To me, they are killing more Muslims than Christians. That is the way I am seeing it because any moving object that comes across them, they kill. So, I don’t subscribe to people saying it is religion.
But their leader threatens jihad
Somebody explained in the conference that it all started in Yobe. There was no development, people were hungry. So these young men including Shekau came together and said look, let us come together and help ourselves. So, in the process, they reasoned that all those around them that could eat three square meals are those educated from the west.
Those that have boreholes are those educated from the west. Those that have vehicles are educated from the west. So, they see them as oppressors. That was the beginning. That was why they said they don’t want western education because it is an oppressive system.
Is there any difference between the 2005 political reforms conference and the present one?
In 2005 conference, I was a player as a governor. I was indirectly controlling my delegates from Niger Delta. I gave them an agenda. Go and get this for us and that was why they walked out when it became apparent that they wouldn’t get what they wanted.
Now, the composition of that is different. This one, delegates were carefully selected. In terms of spread, quality of the delegate, every region, nationality, civil society organizations selected their best. So, in terms of intellectual content, it is not lacking. Two: Mr. President did not indicate any interest. There is no no-go area. He left it open apart from the indivisibility and indissolubility of the country. But in 2005, Obasanjo was interested. He had his foot soldiers.
He wanted third term. So, so many meanings were read into it. That was a problem. They also came with very useful recommendations then but because of the third term agenda which he is denying even at this old age, nothing came out of it. Talking about former President Olusegun Obasanjo, have you seen him since you left jail? Did you greet him?
Yes, I have seen him. I have pardoned him for the simple reason that Goodluck Jonathan is the president of Nigeria.
How you feel knowing that the same Obasanjo you said was behind your travail also facilitated the presidency of a Niger Deltan?
I have forgiven him. Everything. I know more but I don’t want to go to the public domain yet. When I decide to write my book, it is going to make an interesting reading because most people don’t know that man called Obasanjo. I know him.
President Jonathan was your deputy. As someone who worked very closely with you, you know him better than any other person. Do you think he has all it takes to run a complex society like Nigeria?
Let me tell you. From the beginning, our brothers from the north had a mindset that he should not rule. That is the problem. And they promised that they will make Nigeria ungovernable. That is the foundation of all the crises.
And they took it to a certain level and they longer have the capacity to control it. Which President in this country is more qualified than Goodluck Jonathan? If you sit down and catalogue what President Jonathan had done in this country within this period, no head of state, no president has done half of what Jonathan has done.
Will you support him if he decides to run in 2015?
Of course, I am in the forefront. Maybe you have not heard of G2G, Goodluck to Goodluck project. I am the chairman, Board of Trustees. I am midwifing it. I am driving it. He will win hands down. We are waiting for him to declare.
But what if tomorrow, Mr. President decides not to run, will the people of Niger Delta compel him to run?
If the north is saying that it is their turn, why can’t we also from the south demand that we have not completed our tenure? It is beyond an individual. So, he should not even think about it. After 2019, you can say you don’t want to run. But for 2015, he must run o. We are going to carry placards.
What happens if he picks the forms, runs in the election and loses, will you still carry placards?
If Nigerians reject him, we will accept it in good faith but I know he has a pan-Nigerian mandate and he must be allowed to exercise his right and by the Grace of God, Nigerians will vote for him because in their heart of hearts, Nigerians know who Goodluck is to them.
On speculations that he has senate ambition
God forbids. Me, to go back to Bayelsa state? It is impossible.
Why do you say so?
That is my personal decision. Ah! They are all my boys. I should go and contest against my products? Alamaesigha is an institution. All the people you hear: commissioners, senators, this and that, they have all passed through me. So, I cannot go to Bayelsa state to contest. Is it not only one and the half years that was left? What did I forget that I want to go and do?
How did you feel when your name was mentioned for presidential pardon?
People criticized it. But It was politics. They don’t know even what happened. They don’t know and it is ignorance. So, I will forgive them.
President Jonathan did not just come out to grant me pardon. Of course, if President Jonathan did not give me pardon, who else will give me pardon in the first place? No apology. But it all started during Yar’Adua’s time. Atiku Abubakar, Vice President; Orji Kalu, governor Abia; James Ibori, Delta; Lucky Igbenedion, Edo; and Bafarawa, Sokoto, visited me in Dubai when I was in the hospital. I have just done angiography. So I had iron in my groin. I couldn’t even walk.
When they left, Nuhu Ribadu, the former EFCC chairman went to Dubai, generated a letter purported to have come from Dubai government that I am declared persona non grata. That I was planning to overthrow the government of Nigeria from Dubai. I was in the hospital. They now sent security men from here to go and whisk me away from Dubai and bring me to Nigeria under that condition I was. In the night when they brought me and put me in detention at 15 Awolowo road, Ikoyi, around after 12, this Lamorde that is now EFCC chairman was the Director of Operations then. He brought a phone to me that Mr. President wants to speak to me. I sad no I wasn’t going to speak to him.
They insisted that it is Mr. President, you must speak to him. So, I picked the phone from him. I said Umoru, why are you calling me? For God sake, I don’t want to talk to you. He said “Ganuwa, I am your friend o. I am now the president of Nigeria. It is not Obasanjo again o. They will kill you o. I have more information and if you think anything will happen, nothing will happen. After two weeks, you will be forgotten.”
These were his exact words. That your people will be the first to even send CVs for appointment and you will be forgotten. Have you forgotten how my senior brother was killed? Shehu that was number two citizen? Do Nigerians remember Shehu again? You know it.
You are a former military man. You know how my senior brother was killed. It is the family that is suffering. I cannot be president of this country and see you my friend, a title holder in my emirate, Ganuwa Katsina die…. Whatever they are asking for, give them and walk out. I am going to grant you pardon. Come and help me solve Niger Delta problem.
“The Niger Delta problem isat the height of it. They don’t have solution. Come and help me solve it because all the militants are crying that you should be brought out. But I know how stubborn you are. You are worse than me. I am going to send your younger brother to you to plead with you.” So, he sent Goodluck Jonathan to Lagos. I was taken to him and it was conveyed. I slept over it and my health condition was also very bad. So, I said I accepted. Let me go and treat myself.
What did you accept?
Whatever they were going to slam against me. They now reframed their charges: failure to declare assets in EFCC form. So, they now took me to court the following morning. This thing we are talking about was in about how many minutes. Initially, when they read the charges, I said no. They said Chelsea hotel, that was their star charge, belongs to me. That is fallacy. It is not true. Yes, I was the governor. I saw proposal. I don’t even know the owner.
It was 2 billion Naira. I looked at our budget, we have only 1.5 billion. I said okay, let us pay the 1.5 billion. The 500 million, let us put it in the following year’s budget. So, 1.5 billion was paid remaining 500 million. I was not there to pay the 500 million but it was budgeted for.
When I left, Goodluck Jonathan paid the 500 million. If it was for me, will Goodluck as governor pay for an individual asset? It is not possible. So, I said no. The Judge had to even rise for them to talk to me. I later agreed. So, they sentenced me. They took me to Ikoyi prison.
Having served the tenure, I was now asked to go. So, I returned home. In the night, President Yar’Adua also called me again to come to Abuja. I said I would try but my health is not good. I still managed to go. He wanted to grant me pardon and appoint me Minister of Niger Delta immediately to go and solve the Niger Delta problem. He said he would announce it immediately.
I said no, sir, allow me to go back and remove the iron in my groin. Give me three weeks. When I come back, I will be ready to do anything you want me to do. But meanwhile, let me go back to Dubai. He said which Dubai? You were deported. He did not know that letter was cooked by Nuhu Ribadu. I said no, I was not deported by Dubai government. It was Nuhu Ribadu that generated that letter.
So, he said what? You see, some people don’t know why Ribadu was removed. Yar’Adua said Ganuwa, if you go to Dubai and come back, I will bath Nuhu Ribadu with cold water. Of course I went to Dubai and came back. That was the beginning of Ribadu’s problem. There is one big man that was also removed. I have not called his name. He was dropped because a letter passed through him.
Then Yayale became secretary to the federal government. Yar’Adua now asked me to write for clemency and give it Yayale. Before Kingibe was removed, Yar’Adua asked me to go to him to inform JTF in the Niger Delta that I was going round and that I should be assisted. That was when I started moving from one camp to the other. Any camp I went, there was a guard of honour.
So, why were you not appointed again because eventually they appointed another person?
Yes, you know what happened? There was a security report again, the whole thing that created my problem with Obasanjo, that Atiku was going to nominate me as his running mate.
The same story again. They cooked it again that I was going to run with Atiku against him and my younger brother. So, Umoru said Atiku is stronger than him and that I am stronger than my younger brother. Let’s wait till we get nomination. Bad belly! I cannot on this planet contest against my younger brother.
What do I want? So, that was what happened. And it had to because the process was on for the pardon. The pardon had to come before the appointment. So, Goodluck only implemented what had been decided in the process he was also involved and it followed due process. It went through prerogative of mercy to the council of states and all that.
The Ijaw community saw you as their father because you were so powerful then as Governor-General of Ijaw nation. With all of these, are you still being seen that way in the Niger delta community now?
By the grace of God, they have even made me more popular. I move freely. I drive myself. I don’t need a retinue of aides because my people protect me. You can’t throw stone at me in the Niger delta. It is not possible but for His Grace.
If you recollect the crowd when I came back, that crowd; it is not only Bayelsa people but the whole Niger delta gathered. From Yeneagoa where my helicopter landed at the government to Amasoma took 5 hours. Ordinarily, it was 25 minutes journey. We thank God.
But you were said to have disguised as a woman?
Again, that is a lie. Governor-General cannot and will never disguise as a woman to come back to my own country.
So, it was all cooked up?
Just wait for my book. Who brought me back to Nigeria. Did I have wings to fly. They know it, how I came to Nigeria. They know. But it is unfortunate that people are suppressing the truth. They drew a woman, and put Egele ( traditional pot), computer graphics on me and they did not deny. Under it, they said, it as graphics. People were not reading the footnote. They wanted to sell their paper.
THERE were strong indications on Wednesday that a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, may run for the governorship seat in Adamawa State in 2015.
Ribadu
According to a report by Nigerian Tribune, Ribadu, who is a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), held a closed-door meeting with his extended family members in the state capital, Yola, for their backing for the race.
According to sources, his ambition was said to enjoy the backing of a presidential aide, as well as other critical stakeholders in the state, including some members of the state House of Assembly and a handful of stalwarts of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
A source who craved anonymity but was privy to details of the ongoing consultations embarked upon by the former EFCC boss said: “Ribadu is set to contest Adamawa governorship seat to succeed Governor Murtala Nyako, whose impeachment is imminent.
“The ex-EFCC chairman is getting set to fill the vacancy anytime election is conducted in 2015 or before then.
“This was why he met with his family members on Sunday to tell them why he has opted to join the governorship race after his failed bid to be president of Nigeria in 2011.
“At the session, Ribadu spoke of the need to rescue Adamawa State from the maladministration and underdevelopment of the past years.
“He pledged not to soil the name of the larger Ribadu family if given the chance to contest and elected.”
It was gathered that the support of the presidential aide was a big boost as it had complemented the backing he was already enjoying from some members of the State House of Assembly and a few PDP topshots in the state.
Nigerian Tribune gather that the presidential aide is already trying to woo some PDP leaders into the Ribadu projectA source in PDP said: “We are ready for the APC in Adamawa State; they cannot go far in 2015 irrespective of their candidate. The configuration of Adamawa is such that APC and its candidate cannot win the governorship after Nyako’s exit. We have our own game plan.”
When contacted by our correspondent, the Special Assistant to Ribadu, Abdulaziz Ahmad Abdulaziz, confirmed that his principal had been under pressure from many quarters to throw his hat in the ring.
“Yes, it is true that there have been calls and a lot of pressure for Mallam Ribadu to vie for the Adamawa governorship seat. This comes from various quarters and the agitators have disparate reasons for this.
“Those promoting him for the post do so mainly on account of his well known traits of hard work and integrity. He is also seeing as a stabilising factor that has no dent in the eyes of all the communities and power brokers in Adamawa. Their argument is Mallam Ribadu’s experience and expertise is more needed at home.
“However, Ribadu’s disposition is in tune with his usual resignation to fate on anything about his life. As someone who knows nothing but public service, his main preoccupation is the impact he would make at any post, not the position. He is always keen to serve his fatherland, which he has demonstrated a number of times.
“Ribadu is not known to be desperate for anything and he believes that whatever role God destines him to play in the affairs of this country, it is what he’s going to play.”But all the agitators meeting him, either for the presidency or the Adamawa governorship, his reaction is always that we must wait to reach the bridge before crossing it. This is not yet time for expression of interest. So, he rather waits to see what happens between now and then.”
