Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
and until recently All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain, Mallam
Nuhu Ribadu has said that he would not taunt his former associates in
the APC such as Governors Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Kwankwanso.
Ribadu in a statement, yesterday, also claimed that his defection to
the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is to establish good governance in
the country.
His claim of pursuit of good governance in the ruling PDP is despite
his assertion four months ago when he claimed that he considered it a
personal insult to insinuate that he would leave the APC purportedly
for the PDP.
Following his defection to the PDP, Ribadu in a statement, yesterday,
also pledged not to antagonise his former associates in the APC even
as he denied a statement credited to him where he had purportedly
disparaged Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Rabiu
Kwankwaso of Kano State.
In the statement posted on his facebook page, Ribadu, the 2011
presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN,
one of the legacy parties that formed the APC, Ribadu said:
"I know how difficult it may be for you to come to terms with my
defection to another party. 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."
"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 honourable 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.
"As for my next step in this political struggle, this would be made
known in due time. 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."
With reactions to Ribadu's defection still generating mixed reactions,
it emerged, yesterday, that the former oppositionist four months ago
said that it was a personal insult on him to allege that he would
defect from the APC.
In a posting on his facebook page on April 9, Ribadu had said: "I felt
personally insulted by rumours making the rounds in this space over my
alleged intention to dump my party, the All Progressives Congress,
APC. There is no iota of truth in that malicious falsehood being
peddled by persons who do not wish me and my great party any good.
"I am a committed member of APC and I have no reason to lose
confidence in the party. For the past seven days, I have been in my
state of Adamawa helping to see to the smooth conduct of ward
congresses and other coming elections.
"I urge all my friends here to disregard that rumour as what it is;
cheap blackmail from mischievous persons."
Only four weeks ago, Ribadu on his facebook wall had also praised his
"friend and brother," Rauf Aregbesola on what he said were the good
works of the governor in Osun State.
"My Friend and Brother, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, is leading the
Broom Revolution in Osun State and delivering Government Unusual. I am
glad the people are totally behind him and will massively vote for him
come August 9th."
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