 |
| Malam Nuhu Ribadu (Photo credit: Leadership) |
Former chairman of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday
picked the governorship forms of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) just as he
distanced himself from being imposed as Adamawa State governor by President Goodluck
Jonathan, report Leadership.
Ribadu who picked the
expression of interest and nomination forms through an aide, Alhaji Hamidu
Mahmoud, at the PDP national secretariat, also disclosed that he had applied to
the PDP national leadership to waive section 50 of its constitution to allow
him contest the party’s primary election.
Mahmoud who said he has
the mandate to speak on behalf of Ribadu said,“We are not aware that the
president wants to impose Ribadu as governor of Adamawa State. It was some PDP
chieftains who called on Ribadu to come and contest for the governorship of
Adamawa. So, the question of the president wanting Ribadu does not arise in
this case.”
He however allayed the
fears of his supporters that the controversial waiver could impede his chances
ahead of the contest saying the “PDP constitution did not insert the waiver
clause in anticipation that Ribadu will join the party, having joined the race,
he is expected to enjoy the waiver”.
Besides, Ribadu, other
aspirants who have picked form include, former minister of health, Aliyu Idi
Hong and acting governor, Umar Fintiri.
Others are former
executive secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Ahmed
Modibbo, former presidential political aide, Ahmed Gulak, Ambassador Buba Marwa
and Hon. Auwalu Tukur.
The PDP by-election
schedule for Adamawa State indicates that the sale of expression and nomination
forms is between 15 and 19 of August. Return of form; 20-25th, Screening is on
28, while screening appeal will hold on August 30.
The party added that ward
congress and ward congress appeal is September 1 and 3, while state congress
and election appeal is 6 and 8 respectively. INEC has fixed the by- election
for October 11.
Ribadu Is No Threat-
Idi-Hong
Former minister of
Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong and a gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State yesterday said the entry of the former
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), chairman, Nuhu Ribadu into the
PDP is not a threat, saying he has never thought of Ribadu as a sole candidate
of PDP.
Speaking with newsmen
shortly after he picked his nomination form to contest the party primary, Hong
said “The party has the prerogative of giving waiver to whoever it wishes but
the idea of him becoming a sole candidate is not founded, it is not true”.
He said “As a democrat,
it is about expression of interest, it is about politics, it is about the will
of the people, so I am not afraid of anything,” Hong added.
He however expressed
optimism that the national chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu has insisted on
internal democracy. “He has insisted that nomination will take place, so we
have noted, we have absolute confidence in this party,” he added.
Meanwhile, son of former
national chairman of PDP and gubernatorial aspirant, Auwalu Tukur, who also
picked his form yesterday, declared that although he is the son of the PDP
immediate past national chairman, he has made his mark in politics and should
be reckoned with.
“It is natural for me to
ride on his back because he is my father but people should also look at my
history as a politician. I am a politician by right.
“I rise and fall in my own
right, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur`s time has come and gone and this is my own time.
No comments:
Post a Comment