Ribadu Joins Prezy Race

The former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has formally joined the crowded race for Nigeria’s presidency. And he will be contesting on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria ACN.

The retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, had last week confirmed his intention to contest the presidency during an interview session with journalists in Abuja. But he kept his audience and Nigerians in suspense regarding the platformon which he wanted to contest the 2011 election.

In a letter to Nigerians titled, A New Nigeria: Our Time Is Now! published as an advertorial in a national daily this morning, Ribadu said: “with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility, I am writing to inform you of my intention to join politics and seek your support to participate in the forthcoming general elections.”

With the ACN logo of a broom boldly displayed on the full page advert, Ribadu said he was contesting for the office of the President of Nigeria.

The retired AIG declared that after 50 years of independence, the leaders have failed to deliver a nation that can make us proud, while most Nigerians are yet to appreciate the true meaning of independence or derive any benefits from it.

“The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Armed robbery and violent crimes are commonplace; honest hard work goes unrewarded,” Ribadu noted.

As a public officer who had served the country as a police officer, he said he believed he could fix Nigeria, fighting corruption as an official of the Federal Government and leading economic and political reform.

With the advertorial, Ribadu may have dispelled speculations over which political party platform he was planning to run for the office of President in 2011.

Because of his anti-corruption activities as chairman of EFCC against former Delta State Governor, Mr. James Ibori and others, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration declared war on Ribadu. He was persecuted. Attempts were also made to prosecute him illegally.

He was demoted from AIG to Deputy Commissioner of Police, ACP. At the peak of the persecution, Ribadu was forced into exile. He lived overseas until Yar’Adua died and  Goodluck Jonathan emerged as the president before he returned to the country.

The new leadership restored his rank of AIG and retired him immediately he returned home.