Updated: Ribadu, others, pick nomination forms

Mr. Ribadu says he is not in PDP for automatic ticket.

The former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu, has picked 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.

Mr. Ribadu formally joined the PDP in Bako ward of Yola South Local Government on Saturday.

The Chairman of Youth for Good Governance in Adamawa State, a PDP Pressure group supporting Ribadu’s candidature, Isa Toungo, told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Ribadu was given a membership card with registration number 1933795.

One of Mr. Ribadu’s associates, Hamidu Mahmud, who led the team that went to the national headquarters of the PDP to pick the forms, said contrary to reports, the former APC presidential candidate did not join the PDP just to pick an automatic governorship ticket for Adamawa State.

He also said Mr. Ribadu had already applied for waiver in line with the party’s constitutional provision to enable him qualify and participate in the election.

Mr. Mahmud also dismissed the notion that Mr. 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. 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,” he said

Ten aspirants so far obtained forms

Mr. Ribadu was the 10th aspirant to pick the nomination form as at the time of publishing this story.

Before Mr. Ribadu, others such as former political adviser to Mr. Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, Acting governor of the state, Umaru Fintiri, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aliyu Idi Hong, son of the immediate past chairman of the PDP, Awwal Tukur, former Executive Secretary of UBEC, Ahmed Modibbo, former Military Administrator of Lagos state, Buba Marwa and three others obtained the forms.

Mr. Ribadu’s nomination form number is 000092, while his expression of interest form is 000060.

There were reports on Friday that Mr. Tukur had stepped down for Mr. Ribadu.

However, Mr. Tukur, who was also at Wadata Plaza to pick his form, told journalists that he was in the race and had not stepped down for any candidate.

“I have not stepped down for Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and as you see, I’ve come here this afternoon to pick up my form. That alone is an indication that I am in the race and we will see what happens after we have our elections,” he said.

Mr. Tukur spoke on the possibility of a consensus candidate emerging at the primary election slated for September 6.

“Consensus is a major pinnacle of our party. As politicians, we all know that everyone will not get it at one point. We have not had any consensus meeting. I don’t think anyone has had one or has told me. Like I said, we are all preparing for elections.

“Who said the consensus is for Mallam Ribadu? It maybe for me for instance, it may be for someone else. So, yes, consensus is an option under party rules, but at the moment we are all working towards elections,” he said.