The defection of former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday is already creating ripples within and outside the party in Abuja and Adamawa State.
Ribadu, was the Presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) which later fused with other opposition political parties to form the All Progressive Congress (APC) of which he was one of its national leaders.
The defection of Ribadu to the PDP is believed to have already polarized the party in Adamawa State where functional members of the party are kicking against alleged attempt by the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu to foist him as the candidate of the party in the state against all odds.
The move by the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Muazu is believed to be enjoying the support and collaboration of some influential people in the Presidency who are pulling the strings in support of Ribadu .
Newsdiaryonline.com has learnt that there is even more anger because some Adamawa PDP stakeholders have been told that at least two very prominent oil moguls ,one from the north and another from the South west have declared their readiness to bankroll Ribadu.One source even claimed that the oil moguls who are also influential in the presidency were among those that also pressurized Ribadu to dump APC .
However, the support for Ribadu is believed to have started a maelstrom as majority of the elders of the party in the state may have reached out to President Jonathan to advise him over the possible consequence ‘a Ribadu candidature’ would have on the fortunes of the party in the governorship election in the state and most importantly, the 2015 presidential election.
It was gathered that some members of the PDP in the state that include the Acting governor of the State, Hon Umaru Fintiri, former Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak and a party chieftain in the state, Dr.Panny Boga who was in the forefront of the fight against the maladministration of impeached governor of the state, Murtala Nyako have vowed to work against the interest of the party in the state should their past efforts and hard work to keep the party intact in the face of deliberate moves by some former PDP members to destroy the party and reduce it to rubble during the reign of Nyako be jettisoned.
The party members that met with others in Yola on Saturday night till the wee hours of Sunday, wondered why Ribadu, who joined former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to thwart the impeachment process of Nyako by members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly in addition to the garbage of insults and vicissitudes he poured on the PDP suddenly become a bride as against those that fought to keep the party afloat in the face of extreme difficulties.
A source at the meeting said: “The National Chairman of the party has a choice to make and the choice is simple, Ribadu or the party’s victory. The Osun outing of the PDP is still fresh and must be noted that it has a long way in affecting the 2015 presidential election.
“This was how we fought in 2007 and the ticket was eventually given to Murtala Nyako, who was a member of the ANPP then and we are all witnesses to the eventual result. What is the difference between what happened in 2007 and now with regards to Nyako and now Ribadu. Can’t our leaders ever see the handwriting on the wall and learn,” he asked.
This is just as the duo of former Lagos and Borno States military administrator, Brig-General Buba Marwa and former governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Adamawa State, Engr. Marcus Gundiri who recently defected from the APC have indicated interest to contest the governorship ticket of the PDP.
Insiders who have watched Ribadu’s political travails in the hands of ACN now APC however defended his defection when they said those blaming Ribadu for defecting are being unfair to the former EFCC boss. “This is pay back time .Ribadu was wickedly betrayed by influential people while he was presidential candidate of ACN.These people held meetings with Jonathan in Lagos as the 2011 presidential election approached and they decided to betray Ribadu.Only the Osun state Governor Rauf Aregbesola decided not to betray him” a source said.
He said further,“I believe Ribadu now thinks that these people are not trustworthy .I was involved and aware of what transpired.So this is why I believe Ribadu did what he has done.”
The immediate challenge Ribadu and his backers face is how to tackle the opposition to his defection within his new party.
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