The defection of a former chairman
of the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam
Nuhu Ribadu, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in August last year to contest
the Adamawa governorship election has turned to be a political misadventure.
Ribadu, however, justified his defection saying “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,” he said. He also argued
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 his people. Despite the justification,
some said his 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.
It is interested to know that Ribadu, who flew the PDP flag in the
April 11 governorship election in Adamawa state,came a
distant third with 98,917 votes, lost to the candidate of the APC’s Jibrilla
Bindow who polled 362,329 votes and, Engr. Markus Gundiri of the Social
Democratic Party (SDP), who polled 181,806 votes.
In a statement he personally signed midway into the announcement of the
result by the Returning Officer of the election, Prof. Geoffrey Okogbaa read
thus:
“My dear people of Adamawa State, I greet you in the best form of
greetings. 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 Ngilari 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 change. 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.”
Ribadu’s dismal performance can be attributed to the defections of the
key members of the PDP in the state, such as former Deputy Senate Majority
Leader, Jonathan Zwingina; a former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Idi Hong
and two serving senators – Bello Tukur and Ahmed Barata at the eve of the
governorship election. Zwingina, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, said they
decided to pitch their tent with the APC to support Bindow. “We are positive of
the change going on now in the country; we believe in the candidacy of Bindow,”
he said.
NB: Though Ribadu told reporters after voting on election day at his
Aliyu Mustafa polling unit in Yola that he would concede defeat if the result
was against him. He did just that by issuing a press released midway into the
announcement of the result by concede defeat to the APC’s governorship
candidate Jibrilla Bindow. Having said that, Ribadu, to me is still a
kindergarten student when it comes into political calculation. His next
political move remains uncertain for now. However, with the gale of defections
trailing the elections, it would not be out of place if he finds his way back
to the APC.
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