By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo
Few hours after President Goodluck Jonathan clinched the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential ticket in Abuja for the April polls, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu in Lagos last Friday, emerged as the consensus presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

At an elaborate but brief special convention of the party, held at  Onikan Stadium, Lagos, Ribadu was adopted as the consensus candidate of the party after former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and a business man, Alhaji Saidu Malami willingly withdrew from the contest.

The programme which was slated to commence at about 10 am did not start till about noon for obvious reason, that is, the plan for adoption of Ribadu.

One of the indicators that there might not be election for the day was the absence of   election materials such as ballot boxes, tables and even designated officials. The stadium was initially scanty but at about 10 am accredited delegates began to file in one after the other.

However, as chieftains led by Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Segun Osoba; the four ACN Governors, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, SAN; Comrade Adams Oshiomole, of Edo State, Dr Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Engr. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State made their way into the reserved area, the environment was filled with loud ovation.

In his welcome address, National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande charged the youths to take their destiny in their hands as the Peoples Democratic Party, -led government seems not ready to provide for their welfare. Akande said Nigerians had been suffering untold hardships since the last 12 years. He emphasized that the ACN was looking forward to the youth to save the party from the PDP in the forthcoming general elections.

The Special Convention was devoid of crisis as Bafarawa and Malami mounted the podium to announce their withdrawal from the race. Ribadu, clad in white flowing Agbada, was close to tears after his endorsement as sole presidential candidate.

Bafarawa and Malami explained that their decision to withdraw from the race was after due consultation with the party leadership and their teeming supporters with a promise to work for the party and the success of Ribadu at the general polls.

Bafarawa, speaking on why he stepped down, said as a loyal party man, he did not see the attainment of the presidential ticket as a do or die affair, but would continue to work for the progress of the party.

On his part, Alhaji Saidu Malami said though he was the dark horse in the race, he believed that submission to a common goal was better than pursuance of individual intentions. Both men later congratulated  an elated Ribadu.

New Nigeria is Possible

Speaking after his adoption, Ribadu expressed his readiness to lead the change that people desperately desire in the country, promising to work with fear of God, humility and respect for all, adding that it was very evident that God was in control of the historic event of the day because it was taking place in the same city where he started work some 26 years ago.

He said the people of Nigeria should get ready for a change as the ACN was set to rid the nation of the Peoples  Democratic Party in this year’s general election.

His words: “‘I want to begin, in gratitude to the Almighty God.  May his blessings continue to be with our members, the delegates here and their families and with all Nigerians.

“I am excited to be back in Lagos, the wonderful city where I started my public service career that spanned about 26 years.  This is also the city where I served the nation as a young university graduate for my National Youth Service Programme. It is a joyful experience for me therefore that, it is in this city, that this great party has asked me to fly its presidential banner. Thank you Lagos.

“The People’s Democratic Party  has been in government for a little over a decade, but our people have gained nothing for it. Naturally, Nigerians feel angry and cheated. Our people are justifiably disappointed, especially when you realize that the PDP administration has earned far more money than any administration in the history of our country. Understandably, the question majority of Nigerians are asking is: what positive value has this PDP legacy brought to our lives? Of course, the answer is none!

“Dear members of our great party, it all boils down to the values that shape growth and development in a community. Though the three transformative values of competence, integrity, and vision, always help to define true leadership, and as we all know, they are also the bedrock upon which we can make progress as a nation, but the truth is that these values are painfully in short supply today.

“Fellow compatriots, change is truly in the air. By asking me to be the torch- bearer of this important process of retrieving our dear nation from the scars and abuses of a visionless PDP administration, I fully understand that Nigerians are also asking that we put a new agenda of transformation on the table. Every generation must keenly measure the heartbeat of its time, and the change we desire today is one that puts the unity of our people above other things as we proceed to entrench the values of good governance, true democracy, humility in government, and a credible anti-corruption programme as state priorities.

“Our party and my team have thought carefully about how to overcome the nation’s present challenges, and we have worked out properly reflected policies to speak to these daunting problems. We will urgently tackle the growing feeling of insecurity all over the country. We will create new paying jobs. The power sector will be overhauled to generate regular and affordable electricity. The health and education sectors will be given a new lease of life. Housing and healthcare will be honestly and vigorously addressed. But above all, yes, above all, we will wage an unrelenting war against poverty in this country. The welfare of the ordinary people of Nigeria will be at the heart of all our efforts as a government.

“Today, as we leave this historic sports centre of Onikan, I ask for your support, sacrifice and understanding. This time, it will be different because we will be sincere, direct, prudent, truthful, and most especially, we will be accountable.

“My brothers and sisters, great members of the ACN, the very important work to make Nigeria work has begun; fellow compatriots, a New Nigeria is Possible.”

According to close sources, Ribadu was unanimously picked by the leadership of the party at a meeting with all the aspirants.

The reason for Ribadu’s choice as the candidate, sources said,  has to do with the antecedent of the candidate during his professional career, particularly at the EFFC which is quite intimidating.

Another reason is that the he is an energetic young man like Fashola, Fayemi, who is willing to serve his father land with sincerity of purpose having had cognitive experience of how Nigerians are destroying the country and also knowing the practical solutions to the myriads of problems besetting the country.

Moving the motion for the adoption of Ribadu as the presidential candidate of ACN, the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Boss Mustapha said the move is in accordance with Electoral Act of 2011, saying  “what we have done now is to confirm the nomination of Ribadu as our candidate for the 2011 general election.”

According to him; “A party shall convene a special convention or congress at a designated centre on a specific date for the confirmation of that aspirants and the name of the aspirants will be forwarded to the commission as a candidate of the party.”

Fashola carpets PDP

In his address, Fashola said the battle to save the country starts from now as his generation is ready to lay down their lives to save the country and cannot accept the present situation anymore.

He said the transformation that has taken place in ACN ruled States like Lagos, Osun, Ekiti  and Edo have demonstrated that a government does not need to spend donkey years in the saddle to make an impact.

According to him, the PDP has been in office at the federal level for almost 12 years but it has been a government bereft of ideas, honour and integrity and despite promises of ensuring that Nigeria is ranked among the 20 most developed nations of the world, it has instead ensured, through its policy inconsistencies that Nigeria retrogressed into the group of nine least developed nations.

“Now is the time to get them out of office. A party and a government that cannot progress our lives and enrich our people at a time when the price of a barrel of oil exceeded 140 dollars per barrel does not deserve to remain in office one day longer.  The battle to remove the PDP out of our lives starts today”, the governor said.

He added: “Our leaders, our youth, our men and women would be the evangelists of that change. From 8am tomorrow wherever you live in Nigeria, go out and register, the battle has begun. Victory is certain, but there is work to be done”.

Governor Fashola said what has transpired at the special convention was the demonstration of willingness to serve and party supremacy.

In his message of solidarity, Aregbesola said 50 years ago, Nigerians had hope but today she has despair as skepticism prevails in the land, adding that the ACN represents the hope of the people.

He said with the choice of Ribadu, the ACN is saying the people with energy to revive Nigeria are the youth and that through them the party is interested in recreating what the founding fathers enacted.

Fayemi, in his address, said the challenge is for ACN to provide the alternatives that Nigeria deserves which would come in the form of a responsive, responsible government and country with people full of hope.

Edo State helmsman, Oshiomhole,  in his solidarity message, urged Nigerians to be wary of this period which he described as a season of promises.Nigeria has not fared any better. Promises like creation of two million jobs, fighting poverty, creation of industrial environment nationwide have all remained promises.

Oshiomhole, said it is very regrettable that the government at the centre that came to office with a promise to ensure that all refineries work is now celebrating its successes in fuel supplies nationwide through wholesome importation which has left the refineries comatose.

Ribadu was later presented with the flag of the party by the National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande who was assisted by other leaders of the party led by Tinubu,

Also present at the colourful event were the Deputy Governors of Lagos and Osun States, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan and Mrs Laoye Tomori;  Niyi Adebayo; Chris Ngige; Chief Tom Ikimi;  Chief Audu Ogbeh ;  Deputy Governor of Kano State, Mallam Abdulahi Tijani Gwarzo who recently decamped to ACN; Senator Lawan Shuaibu; National Secretary/Chairman special presidential convention,  Dr. Abiye Sekibo; Chief Lai Muhammed; Dr Usman Bujaje; Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye; Senator Olorunibe Mamora; Senator Ganiu Olawale Solomon; and  Mr Joe Igbokwe, Publicity Secretary ACN Lagos chapter.