BIG STORY
Nuhu Ribadu Returns To APC, Get’s Pro-Buhari’s Endorsement; Atiku Kicks Against Return.
Photo Credit: Premium Times
Nuhu Ribadu has returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC), The Nation reports.
The former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman got a letter from Adamawa State chapter of the party seeking his return to the party.
He is going to be readmitted with a former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria( ACN ) in the state, Mr. Marcus Gundiri, with their supporters.
But former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Adamawa State Governor Jibrilla Bindow, and two others have protested to National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun and the National Working Committee (NWC) against Ribadu’s return.
The APC leadership told Atiku, the governor and others that the constitution allows an individual to join a party of his choice.
Once a state chapter of the party is receptive to anyone’s membership, there is a limit to which the National Headquarters can do, they were told.
Ribadu accepted to return to APC following overtures from the leaders of APC at the national level, ex-Governor Murtala Nyako, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir David Lawal, the state and local government chapters of the party.
A June 22, 2016 letter by the Adamawa State chapter, signed by the Acting State Secretary, Alh. Saidu Naira invited Ribadu back to the party.
The letter reads: “We the entire APC Adamawa State chapter wish to invite you back to your “Home party”, APC.
“Given your track records and progressive nature, we strongly believe APC is where you belong to.
“We are also mindful of the efforts and contributions you made during the merger without which the merger would have been difficult.
“To this end, we reaffirm our request for you to come home to APC and assist and contribute to the success of the APC government both at the state and national levels.”
A party source said: “We decided to invite Ribadu to return to APC because he was frustrated out by some PDP elements who defected to our party during the merger and countdown to 2015 elections.
“Ribadu did so much for APC in Adamawa State but the setback which made him to go to PDP was frustration following a disagreement with some of our leaders, like ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on the impeachment of ex-Governor Murtala Nyako. Ribadu worked tirelessly to save Nyako from impeachment but our leaders paid lip service and stoked the fire which made ex-Speaker Umar Fintiri to remove the former governor.
“The insincerity of APC leaders in the state made Ribadu to defect to PDP against his own volition. So, he left APC as a result of local politics. It was a state affair but today things have changed.
“When Ribadu was pushed to the wall, he had no choice than to pitch tent with the PDP which needed a credible candidate. Ribadu was frustrated out of APC for being a true party man to save Nyako.
“And the PDP elements, who joined APC, were uncomfortable with the anti-corruption stance of Ribadu and his acceptance in the party. So, it was convenient to hatch a plot to kick him out of the party.
“Today Nyako is vindicated and Umar Fintiri is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC).
“We are now out to correct the past by asking him to return to APC because Nyako has been vindicated. The court said his removal was wrong. Ribadu has also been justified because he insisted that Nyako was a victim of political vendetta and abuse of power. Nyako is back.
“We have realised that we have all wronged Ribadu. We want him back.”
Asked if Ribadu has accepted the offer, the source said: “He has agreed to return to our fold. We are all happy with him.”
Atiku, Bindow, the Secretary to the Adamawa State Government and the Chief of Staff on Monday protested to John Odigie-Oyegun and the NWC.
The four-man delegation met with Odigie-Oyegun and his team.
It was all about Ribadu, a source said.
The source, a member of the NWC, said: “We were all shocked that the ex-VP came with the governor and two others to prevail on the leadership of the party not to readmit Ribadu into APC.
“They spoke of the need for party discipline since Ribadu contested on PDP platform against Bindow. They said Ribadu’s coming back will spell doom for APC unity in the state.
“They all forgot that they were once in PDP too before defecting to APC. Bindow is a former PDP senator.
“Some of us spoke about added value which Ribadu can bring to our party as one of the brains behind the merger politics which led to the birth of APC.
“Contrary to their mission, the leadership at the national level and stakeholders are extremely excited about the return of Ribadu. He is a progressive in thinking and action. The APC needs his service.
We became suspicious because no leader of APC at the state level followed them.
“At the end of the day, the party said constitutionally you cannot stop anybody from joining a party.
We told the delegation that it is a state issue. If the state executives of APC accept Ribadu, we cannot reject him.
“We will however do our best to reconcile all members of the party, whether old or new. Our ultimate target is to keep the APC family united.”
It was also gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari’s supporters endorsed the return of Ribadu.
Thousands of excited Nigerians attended the opening day of the much-anticipated maiden edition of the Lagos Shopping Festival (LSF) on Monday, December 23 and were served up an electrifying feast of events, activities and promotions across the the main venue of the festival, the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena, (formerly Onikan Stadium).
As advertised, first day of the festival lived up to its billing with a colourful blend of commerce, music, innovation and creativity following its flag off by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
The Lagos Shopping Festival, powered by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with Chain Reactions Africa, a frontline PR firm, and supported by leading brands, including Zenith Bank, Tolaram Group, First Bank Plc, and Guinness, will see millions of people hit the main venue and select Lagos malls to bag the latest bargains, and bring together the best of city’s retail offering, showcasing local and top global brands and shopping experiences, including in-mall promotions.
Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the LSF as a history-making festival of back-to-back shopping, fun, and entertainment, reaffirming the Lagos state’s commitment to grow small businesses as well as the entertainment industry.
“This is the first of its kind and this event is made to bring shoppers with MSMEs, with innovators, with entertainers, with the creative industry, with the food industry and everybody,” said Sanwo-Olu.
“For the next three days, we are meant to all come together, enjoy good food, good music, sales at discounted market price, shopping at the highest level and just general entertainment with the creativity of Lagos,” the Governor added.
He called on all Lagosians and Nigerian to join the fun, shopping and entertainment.
“Call everybody from Iyana-Ipaja to Alimosho, call people from Agege, call them from Ebute-Meta to Shomolu, call them from Bariga, from Badagry to Ikorodu, from Epe to Ibeju-Lekki, call everyone to come to the arena here at the Mobolaji Johson Center in Onikan where we’ll be doing shopping, we’ll be doing music, we’ll be doing entertainment for the next two days. This is the first of its kind”, Sanwo-Olu added.
He assured all fun-seekers, buyers and sellers of their safety, saying that they are in a safe, secure, peaceful environment, urging them to “to sit back, relax and see another Lagos creativity that is the first, and the very first Lagos Shopping Festival”.
Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his appreciation to the sponsors of the Lagos Shopping Festival for their unwavering support to drive the story of Lagos commerce, entertainment and creativity.
“I want to thank all of our sponsors from FirstBank, to Zenith Bank, to Tolaram, to Smirnoff Ice, to Indomie Noodles, to OmniBiz, to PowerOil, to Minimie, and to Malta Guinness, all of them, including the Lagos State Government. I want to thank you”.
He also commended all the local and small businesses at the festival, and urged Lagosians and Nigerians to always patronize them.
“More importantly, to all the small businesses that are inside and under the canopies, go out there and make good deals. Go out there and do huge purchases from them. Go out there and make their small-scale market, work for them; because here, we want the market to be meeting all of the shoppers. That’s what this is all about. It’s about buying stuff at the most reduced market. It’s about entertainment, it’s about food, it’s about tourism. This is what Lagos has given to you again,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Also, commenting, the MD/ Chief Strategist, Chain Reactions Africa, the organisers of the Lagos Shopping Festival, Mr Israel Jaiye Opayemi, buttressed the strategic significance of the festival saying, “LSF is poised to be the catalyst that will redefine the true essence of commerce, especially SME businesses, the creative ecosystem, and fun times with family, friends and loved one. LSF is sure set to open a new vista of socio-economic growth from Lagos, to Nigeria, whilst raising a unique bar in the African market”.
Fun-seekers and business men and women alike had entertainment value for their time, with dancing and singing competition with the winners adjudged by the audience receiving cash gifts. The highlight of the day was the energy-revving musical performances from the youthful Ayo Maff, with the soulful rendition of songs from Adekunle Gold the icing on the cake for the audience who kept singing along to his enchanting stage performances.
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