Four days after his defection from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP became public knowledge, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC], Nuhu Ribadu, has personally given an insight into why he crossed to the ruling party.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page Ribadu said his “carefully considered decision” to defect to another party was in “in pursuit of a good cause, and never out of any selfish interests”.
He did not expatiate on what this good cause is but he said his next step in his political struggle would be made known in due time.
“I know how difficult it may be for you to come to terms with my defection to another party,” Ribadu said, adding that “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.
“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.”
The former EFCC chairman, who was reacting to a report quoting him as disparaging his former colleagues in the APC, said although he had left the opposition party, he would continue to hold its leaders in high esteem.
“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.
“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.”
Ribadu formally joined the PDP in Bako ward of Yola South Local Government on Saturday, to the chagrin of the APC, whose National Chairman, John Oyegun, described the development as “very terrible”.
The Chairman of Youth for Good Governance in Adamawa State, a PDP Pressure group supporting Ribadu’s candidature, Isa Toungo, said that Ribadu was given a membership card with registration number 1933795.
On Monday the former EFCC chairman obtained the expression of Interest and nomination forms to run for Adamawa Governor in the October 11 election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
One of his associates, Hamidu Mahmud, who led the team that went to the national headquarters of the PDP in Abuja to obtain the forms, said contrary to reports, the former APC presidential candidate did not join the PDP just to pick automatic governorship ticket.
He also said Ribadu had already applied for waiver in line with the party’s constitutional provision to enable him qualifies and participates in the election.
Mahmud also dismissed the notion that Ribadu was in the contest at the behest of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“The framers of the PDP Constitution did not insert the waiver clause in anticipation of Nuhu Ribadu; it is a principle of general application. So, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, having joined the party, is expected to enjoy this waiver clause that is in the PDP Constitution,” Mahmud said.
“We have applied for the waiver and we are awaiting the decision of the party on that. We are not aware that the President wants Ribadu, it was some PDP Chieftains in the state that 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 this case.”
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