ADAMAWA GUBER RACE: Nuhu Ribadu picks PDP nomination form

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who formally defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last weekend moved a step further towards contesting in the Adamawa State gubernatorial election scheduled for October 2014 on the platform of his new party as he picked the nomination form for the polls on Monday.

The N11 million PDP gubernatorial form was collected on behalf of the former EFCC Chairman by one Alhaji Ahmidu Mahmoud said to be his political associate.

In an interview with journalists after he picked the form, Mahmoud who confirmed that he picked the form on behalf of the former EFCC Chairman said Ribadu is ready to participate in the primary to pick the PDP gubernatorial flag bearer for the October poll.

He added that Ribadu has began the process of getting waiver which will enable him participate in the primary.

“The waiver clause in the party’s constitution was not inserted because of him. He is expected to enjoy the waiver. We have applied for the waiver and we expect that he would get it,” said Mahmoud who added that Ribadu is not relying on the support of President Goodluck Jonathan as has been reported to win the Adamawa state gubernatorial primary.

He dispelled the rumour making the rounds that Ribadu was banking on the support of President Goodluck Jonathan to win the primary and the election, which the Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed for October 11, 2014.

He added that some PDP chieftains inAdamawa State convinced Ribadu to join their party.

It was gathered that Ribadu had in a letter dated 16 August to Adamu Muazu, the PDP Chairman asked for clearance\waiver to contest the gubernatorial primary as a fresher in the party.

But Ribadu is just one of the 13 aspirants who have paid N11 million to buy the PDP nomination form for the Adamawa gubernatorial poll as at Monday.

It was learnt that other aspirants who have paid the mandatory fee of N10 million and N1 million Expression of Interest form include former Minister of state (Health), Dr. Idi Hong, acting governor, Umar Fintiri, former Political Adviser to the president, Ahmed Gulak and former Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Ahmed Moddibo.

The party said it will end sale of form to its governorship aspirants tomorrow.

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