News: Former EFCC chairman Ribadu joins PDP and is set to run for Adamawa governor

FORMER Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has left the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the People's Democratic Party (PDP) making him the frontrunner in the forthcoming Adamawa State governorship elections.
Between 2003 and 2007, Mallam Ribadu, 53, served as EFCC chairman, during which he enjoyed a lot of success combating corruption in Nigeria. In 2011, he ran for the presidency of Nigeria on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, which later metamorphosised into the APC after merging with several other parties. Mallam Ribadu had been strongly tipped as an APC presidential candidate for 2015 but in a shock move, he appears to have dumped the party for the ruling PDP. In Mallam Ribadu's native Adamawa State, a governorship election is due soon following the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako and his deputy.With Mallam Ribadu now in the PDP, he has automatically become the favourite to clinch the party's gubernatorial ticket and run for governor. If he decides to run, he is expected to win overwhelmingly.
Over the weekend, Mallam Ribadu’s siblings registered for him at his Makama Ward in Yola South and sent the registration card to him in Abuja to enable him pick the PDP governorship form for the elections. He is expected to formally declare his candidacy tomorrow in Abuja. PDP national publicity secretary Ibrahim Jalo, said:“It is after the official defection that we can say whether he had moved or not and whether he will get waiver or not. Even at that, he has to ask for the waiver.” Over the weekend, prominent PDP members have been congratulating Mallam Ribadu and welcoming him to the party on different social media platforms. Apparently he has been under pressure from the presidency to join the PDP with the caveat that he will be given the Adamawa State governorship ticket. Other senior PDP figures from Adamawa State also said to be interested in the governorship race include former military administrator of Lagos State, General Buba Marwa; former senator representing Adamawa Central, Abubakar Girei; a former political adviser to the president, Ahmed Gulak, and a one- time minister, Idi Hong. Others include Dr Umar Ardo, the former executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission; Dr Ahmed Modibo; Markus Gundiri and the son of former PDP national chairman Awual Tukur.
Current speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly and acting governor Bala Ngilari, has also announced his intention to stand in the elections. Apparently, 13 of his colleagues from the state House of Assembly have endorsed his candidacy.