By EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor & HENRY UMORU
LAGOS — ACTION Congress of Nigeria, ACN, presidential candidate, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday, blasted the Mallam Adamu Ciroma-led Northern Political Leaders Forum, NPLF, as an insincere body using the name of the North to protect the selfish interests of its members.

Expressing concern why the body would not back any other Northern presidential candidate apart from erstwhile Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the Ribadu Campaign in a statement said it was surprised that the Northern Elders could waive aside what it described as Ribadu’s meritorious record in public service and fighting corruption.

Contacted on the development, a sombre Ciroma preferred to remain mute on the allegation only saying, “I have nothing to say.”
Ribadu’s reaction was in response to Monday’s communiqué of the NPLF in which the body blasted the recent political party primaries of all the major political parties and noted that the nation was headed for the precipice with the outcome of the primaries.

Director of Media, Ribadu Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Ibrahim Modibo, while flaying the communiqué acknowledged that though “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.”

Following the outcome of the presidential primaries which threw up President Goodluck Jonathan from the South, the Ribadu Organisation “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.” It said: “With this development it is likely that the northern elders were actually looking for someone who would protect their interest and not that of the North.”

Public service experience

Further noting that Ribadu was more experienced in public service than any other presidential candidate, the campaign organisation said: “Ribadu is the only candidate with vast experience in public service. 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.”

Noting that Ribadu made good use of his time in exile to gain vital leadership skills in Harvard and Oxford universities, Modibo said: “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. 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.”

Modibbo asked Nigerians to vote for competence, and not sentiments, “because sentiments won’t put food on our tables.”
He said: “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. ”

So RIBADU wanted now to be the adopted 'Northern consensus candidate' because he Ribadu knew the ' North ' as they usually does are looking to pitch their tent with propably Shekaru as Bhuari has choosen 'infidel' as his running mate so Bhuari will not be their man.

THis is my sole reason for anyone in the South not voting a Northerner in this election. It is 'BORN TO RULE' mentality. Any northerner including RIBADU will be given orders either by the caliphate in Sokoto or Emir of Gwandu.

The North (the core north- Fulani's + some Hausa's) who give edict based on their own version of Isalam will want to direct the whole country at a FEUDAL LORD meeting citing what 'they interpret as what the great prophet said or intended'

My question has always be , WHY SOMEONE FROM THE NORTH HAS TO BE AT THE HEAD OF THE TICKET?

Why Not FASHOLA and RIBADU VP or CHIME and RIBADU VP, until we drill that to the head and mind of our Northern brothers , they will think they own us including the highly respected Malam Nuhu Ribadu which we in the South accord a lot of Respect.

Will the North accord the same respect for a performing person like RIBADU in the North especially if he happens to be a Christian? my own answer is capital NO. Even MKO Abiola who is born muslim was denied because he is not'north muslim'

Anyone who trust a Northernern politician does it at their own peril.

[s]So RIBADU wanted now to be the adopted 'Northern consensus candidate' because he Ribadu knew the ' North ' as they usually does are looking to pitch their tent with propably Shekaru as Bhuari has choosen 'infidel' as his running mate so Bhuari will not be their man.

THis is my sole reason for anyone in the South not voting a Northerner in this election. It is 'BORN TO RULE' mentality. Any northerner including RIBADU will be given orders either by the caliphate in Sokoto or Emir of Gwandu.[/s]

ode, who is the best un currupt man among the candidate, pls answer the question,

vigasimple:

So RIBADU wanted now to be the adopted 'Northern consensus candidate' because he Ribadu knew the ' North ' as they usually does are looking to pitch their tent with propably Shekaru as Bhuari has choosen 'infidel' as his running mate so Bhuari will not be their man.

THis is my sole reason for anyone in the South not voting a Northerner in this election. It is 'BORN TO RULE' mentality. Any northerner including RIBADU will be given orders either by the caliphate in Sokoto or Emir of Gwandu.

The North (the core north- Fulani's + some Hausa's) who give edict based on their own version of Isalam will want to direct the whole country at a FEUDAL LORD meeting citing what 'they interpret as what the great prophet said or intended'

My question has always be , WHY SOMEONE FROM THE NORTH HAS TO BE AT THE HEAD OF THE TICKET?

Why Not FASHOLA and RIBADU VP or CHIME and RIBADU VP, until we drill that to the head and mind of our Northern brothers , they will think they own us including the highly respected Malam Nuhu Ribadu which we in the South accord a lot of Respect.

Will the North accord the same respect for a performing person like RIBADU in the North especially if he happens to be a Christian? my own answer is capital NO. Even MKO Abiola who is born muslim was denied because he is not'north muslim'

Anyone who trust a Northernern politician does it at their own peril.

Wise words my brother.

tayoTFC:

[s]So RIBADU wanted now to be the adopted 'Northern consensus candidate' because he Ribadu knew the ' North ' as they usually does are looking to pitch their tent with propably Shekaru as Bhuari has choosen 'infidel' as his running mate so Bhuari will not be their man.

THis is my sole reason for anyone in the South not voting a Northerner in this election. It is 'BORN TO RULE' mentality. Any northerner including RIBADU will be given orders either by the caliphate in Sokoto or Emir of Gwandu.[/s]

ode, who is the best un currupt man among the candidate, pls answer the question,

So, can you not make your pointless point without calling someone names. It shows how much home training you were given.

You are also politically naive about Nigerian politics. RIBADU may be a good man, so was madam rebranding until she became misinformation minister and later APGA senatorial candidate (from PDP)

Ribadu in my own opinion will soon be doing the bidding of the North(that is how the North has always operate, and will continue to into the future)

My question remains, why Not FASHOLA,and Ribadu as VP candidate, or CHIME and Ribadu as VP candidate, BECAUSE THE PRESIDENCY OF NIGERIA BELONGS TO THE NORTH(it is their forefathers property), did you get it?

Corruption can be fought by anyone if given the free hand to do so.