The Gang-up Against Ribadu

Most of the contestants for Adamawa PDP governorship ticket are busy fighting Nuhu Ribadu; while Nuhu Ribadu is doggedly gaining momentum and delegates support.

The waiver, PDP’s NWC granted Nuhu Ribadu most have devastated these ‘posters and briefcase’ politicians. Nevertheless, there is still time, they should come out of their political-inferiority-complex and seek for delegates’ votes. It is delegates’ approval they need, not the pointless hullabaloo about Nuhu’s candidacy.

Well, complex moment like this, gives the people the opportunity to differentiate between third-rate and first-class politicians.

Atiku and Adamawa Governorship Race

Whoever wins Adamawa governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will get an extraordinary support from Atiku Abubakar. Thus, whoever wins the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries must get ready to face a ‘politically thirsty’ Atiku; who has lost his hitherto unmatched-grip of the politics of his home state. 

Atiku dearly needs the APC and perhaps one of his political associates to win the October 11 Adamawa state governorship elections, reasons being that, he will use that opportunity to restore his lost leadership of Adamawa polity; get an opening to control a strong political platform at home front as well as to serve as a place for him to fall in, if his presidential ambition fails again.

On the other hand, the PDP has within its fold quite a number of Adamawa bigwig politicians and Abuja backing, who will be in the forefront for the party; the APC will heavily, if not entirely rely on Atiku’s Abubakar political experience and war-chest

Atiku will for sure lead the APC to present a calculated approach against the PDP, but Atiku’s major headaches would be: The PDP with its large and strong local political bigwigs and Abuja support, seems most likely to settle for a politically untainted Youngman- Nuhu Ribadu, as its gubernatorial candidate, while the APC is yet to have a sellable candidate and the Murtala Nyako faux pas are still hunting the party. 

The battle for Adamawa governorship position will be very interesting for both pundits and students of politics.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980. 

The Nuhu Ribadu Formula

Nuhu Ribadu

Now that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has declared his intention to contest for the governorship of Adamawa state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); the Adamawa political scene has changed. Thus, poster and briefcase politicians who were waiting for the PDP governorship ticket to be given to them on a platter of gold will have to work for it. In addition, those segments of the society which were hitherto indifferent to the political scene because of the absence of new and reliable candidates are now reawakened.

Almost all the contestants for Adamawa PDP governorship ticket; their supporters and godfathers are now jittery because of Ribadu’s entry into the race. Their fears are genuine and understandable–like some people think- Nuhu will be given an automatic ticket- no primaries.

Hitherto, most of the contestants have not put on ground serious campaign structures- they were waiting for Abuja to bulldoze the way for them. Out of the blue! Abuja is now looking the other way. So, they are now groaning. One of the contestants was even quoted saying Nuhu needs a waiver. Nuhu Ribadu is joining the PDP, not rejoining. He does not need any waiver. Chapter II part 1 of the PDP constitution (2012 as amended) is very explicit- admission into membership and procedure for rejoining are two different things.

Nuhu is well-cultured, well-read and has integrity to jealously protect- thus, the general belief is that he won’t use this opportunity to deny other contestants the opportunity to test their popularity.

Despite having the support and encouragement from those whom each of other contestants needs dearly, Nuhu must work for a level playing field to allow PDP delegates to decide their flag-bearer, because, first, at the end of the day, the flag bearer needs the support of other contestants, and second, to show that he indeed believes in the values he fought for, of which transparency and equality are prominent.

Many factors were responsible for drafting Ribadu into the contest on the platform of the PDP. First, a lot of stakeholders in Adamawa state have come to the conclusion that Adamawa need a paradigm shift in terms of development. Secondly, the state needs a governor that is relatively young, incorruptible, committed, well-read, urbane, with a clean record and one that has the capacity to leapfrog the state’s development to where it is supposed to be. Nuhu possesses these qualities.

Apart from the aforementioned, there are also some salient political factors that necessitated the drafting of Ribadu into the race. There is a general consensus that Adamawa central should produce the next governor and Nuhu is the perfect candidate from that zone. Though there are other well-qualified candidates, considering the present political and economic atmosphere, Nuhu is the best. Another factor is, the PDP has realized its big errors- the Murtala Nyako error for instance- Nuhu has the mind to correct such errors.

Some observers are of the view that, if Nuhu is good, must PDP be the vehicle for him to be governor? Nuhu’s immediate constituency, his senatorial zone, most of his friends and peers and indeed Adamawa state are overwhelmingly PDP, so naturally he should be in the PDP.

However, the battle will not be easy for Ribadu both at PDP primaries and the main elections. Other contestants will put up a fierce fight for delegates’ votes or for juicy political compensation. On the other hand, the APC with Atiku’s guidance will present a sophisticated counter-move to get massive support from some segments of Adamawa people. The APC would also use the Adamawa central ‘card’, but with an additional political move- its candidate will be from Adamawa central, but may be different from Nuhu in terms of tongue and faith.

The advantages Nuhu Ribadu has are: he is naturally charismatic, young, well-read, urbane and ‘clean hands’. He also has a higher chance of winning the elections on the platform of PDP than APC because the PDP is well rooted in the state. The recent woes of APC in the state too would work against them.

Nuhu’s superb qualities further give him and whichever party’s flag he bears, an edge over every other candidate and party. So, with the current political and economic situation in Adamawa state, Nuhu Ribadu is the formula for any political party to win the October 11 governorship election- the PDP is smart to quickly grab the opportunity.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980.

Why PDP Needs Nuhu Ribadu

If Nuhu Ribadu finally succumbs to pressure from PDP’s high level to accept the party’s governorship ticket in the forthcoming Adamawa governorship election- some major events will occur and the present dynamics of Adamawa politics will change.

Some of the contestants for the PDP governorship ticket, their supporters and godfathers will be aggrieved- the bubble may burst. 

With Ribadu (a less tainted politician) as its candidate, the PDP will be very comfortable at campaign rallies- PDP’s campaign’s pay-off would be: Ribadu is a complete opposite of Nyako. And, Adamawa central will have the chance to produce the Governor of the state.

On the other hand, the APC with Atiku’s guidance will present a sophisticated counter-move to get massive support from some portions of Adamawa people. The APC would also use the Adamawa central ‘card’, but with an additional political move- its candidate will be from Adamawa central, but different from Nuhu in terms of tongue and faith.

The way high-wired consultations and calculations are taking place in Abuja; Nuhu’s PDP’s candidacy may be a done deal- except if Nuhu tenaciously refuses.- a real Nigerian politician wouldn't; Nuhu has since learned how to be a true Nigerian politician. 

Nuhu Ribadu’s likelihood of winning the governorship position on the platform of the PDP is 85%, while on APC’s is 40%. PDP’s likelihood of winning the governorship position with Nuhu as its candidate is 85%, while APC’s likelihood of winning with Nuhu as its candidate is 55%. – So, Nuhu is the ‘beautiful bride’

Nuhu Ribadu has charisma, he’s well-read, urbane and not tainted, but Nigerian politics does not recognize such a beautiful Resume! 

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980