17th February, 2011
The campaign organization of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Presidential candidate, Malam Nuhu Ribadu has accused the Northern Political Leaders Forum led by Malam Adamu Ciroma of insincerity over the issue of a northern consensus candidate, according to a statement issued by the campaign’s director of publicity, Ibrahim Modibbo.
The organization made the accusation against the backdrop of the decision of the Northern leaders to brush aside the Presidential aspiration of the ACN flag bearer and that of his Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) counterpart, General Muhammadu Buhari.
Though the organization recognizes the fact that the Northern elders were actually looking for a northern candidate under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) they had all along created the impression that they were looking for someone who would represent the interest of the entire north and not that of a section of the north.
In light of the forgoing, the organization wondered why the Elders forum would not back another northerner other than Atiku Abubakar if they were really out to protect the interest of the north.
With this development it was likely that the northern elders were actually looking for someone who would protect their own interest and not that of the north.
The ACN flag bearer as an anti-corruption crusader happens to be a credible candidate who has served the nation meritoriously for 25 years. He had also proved his mettle as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when he was entrusted with the responsibility of dealing with crime in the country.
In another statement, The Nuhu Ribadu Campaign organization, yesterday, said no presidential candidate in Nigeria’s history has the credentials of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Action Congress of Nigeria presidential flag bearer.
The Director, Media and Communications, Ibrahim Modibbo, said no one brings to the table the 25 years of experience in public service that Ribadu has. He was responding to the assertion by an opposing group, that said “Ribadu is not ripe for presidency.â€
“Ribadu is the only candidate with vast experience in public service,†Mr. Modibbo said. “He saw the corruption there and spent his entire life fighting it, both as a law officer and a lawyer. He led men and women of this great country to achieve convictions and solve crimes; the kind that we have never seen before nor since he left. As a junior police officer, but a qualified lawyer, Ribadu worked in places like Mushin and Ajegunle where he excelled. His international credibility is unmatchable, and he commands a large followership among the youth for his hard work and results. What other experience do we need at a time like this in our country?â€
He added that Ribadu made good use of his time in exile to gain vital leadership skills in Harvard and Oxford universities, the leading schools in the world.
“If his competence or integrity were in doubt, he would never have been asked to join a three-man committee of eminent personalities to help check corruption in Afganistan,â€Â Mr. Ibrahim said. “This man rejected a $15 million dollar bribe. You can’t say the same about some of the men in President Goodluck’s Campaign organization.â€
Mr. Modibbo also said that if the experience of the current administration has not secured the lives of people in Plateau State, nor ensured the proper spending of the billions that have gone missing from the Federation’s Excess Crude Account, then experience should be the last campaign tool for the ruling party.
He asked Nigerians to vote for competence, and not sentiments, “because sentiments won’t put food on our tables.â€
“Let us ask the right questions. Can the PDP-Leopard change it’s shameful spots of ineptitude, corruption and economic stagnation overnight? The answer is no. Ribadu represents the generational shift, the kind that has swept great nations like Russia, France and Germany and even Bostwana, to greatness. It is the change that will jumpstart change in Nigeria.
