FORMER Chairman of the Financial and Economic Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, confirmed that he would run for the January 2011presidential election on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN Addressing a news conference in Abuja, he said the party which changed its name recently would be more robust with a national outlook to provide a platform for progressives to take over the federal government with a view to giving quality
leadership to the nation.

His words: “I have decided that I am going to join the new political party called ACN and I do intend to go and register when the registration kicks off
and they are registering new members to go in and pick my membership card in my ward in Yola.

“And I also do intend to be part of the team that will bring change to our own country. The team is going to be made up of progressives. They are many and I
have seen good governments around across the country.

“It is my hope and my expectation that all of us are going to come under one platform to give Nigeria a chance to work. To give democracy a chance to work.
I have decided to take the first step. I have written a letter to Nigerians to explain why I have taken the decision that I have taken and what I intend to do
if given the chance to be in the team that can lead this country or even be the
flag bearer”.

The former anti-graft agency boss said there was need to give Nigeria a fresh start. He noted: “There is a bigger picture ahead of us. We do intend to
capture. My belief is that there is need for a party that is going to give Nigerians a chance for democracy to work. An alternative to what we have today.
“I see the possibility of progressives, good elements across even in the PDP, if they can come in to give this country a fresh start. To give hope. If as a
possibility of New Nigeria. A new Nigeria is very possible.”

Mallam Ribadu said he was very pleased with the good governance exemplified by Mr. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Engr. Segun Oni of Ekiti , Peter Obi of
Anambra and Adams Oshiomole of Edo and therefore intend to replicate same at the federal level.

“I want to take over and also run federal government like the way it is run today in Lagos, Edo, Anambra, Ekiti and a couple of other places. We are going
to work hard to see to the realisation of that objective and we are going get it”.

The former EFCC boss noted that progressives had won elections in the country in the past, particularly the June 12 1993 presidential election which was won by
late Chief M.K.O. Abiola but denied government by anti-democratic forces.

He insisted that it would never be allowed to repeat itself in the country, as he said Nigerians were tired of those steal government through rigging.
His words, “It is not that the progressives have not been winning but they are robbed of the victories. This time Nigerians are going to say no, time has come
for us to change. Nigeria is changing. People are waking up. This is the time for us to have free and fair elections. It is time for our votes to count.

“This time I can assure you, it will work. You know before, because of stealing of votes, trigging, good people were victims of stolen elections.
“Now there is a change. Now Nigerians are saying we are tired of this horrible way of stealing government. That is old fashioned. This crude way has to
stop. If Zimbabwe can organise a free and fair election, why not Nigeria? If Ghana can organise free and fair elections, why not Nigeria? If Sierra Leone,
Liberia, countries that just came out of war can organise free and fair elections, why not Nigeria? If Guinea just coming out of troubles now can
organise free and fair elections, why not Nigeria?
On the choice of the running mate, Mallam Ribadu said the decision has not been taken as he explained that it would be made public as a collective the entire
team after wide consultations.

His words: “There is no vice presidential candidate yet. That will be the decision of the team. It is going to be a team that is going to address the
problems of our own country. A team that is going to promote unity , stability, a team that is going to be like everything. We will have within the team, all
the qualities required and need in good leadership. It is going to be something fresh and new.

“It is not something you can get today. There is going to be a long process to the emergence of such a team. Consultations would take place. Leaders are out
there who will contribute greatly to possibility. Everything good has to be taken into consideration. It is not going to be an individual thing.

“My leadership is not going to be a leadership that will respect people. And it is going to be a leadership that is going to be collective including the decision to have a running mate. For now all I can tell you I am not made up my mind on that yet. And it is going to be more than me as an individual”.