Ogbeh To Head Ribadu’s Campaign

THIS IS TRULY NIGERIAN..GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION

Former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Audu Ogbeh, will head the Presidential campaign of Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), NEXT has learnt.

A close aide of Mr. Ribadu who confirmed this stated that the choice of Mr. Ogbeh is “because of his demonstrated integrity, vision for Nigeria and ability to garner broad support for the candidacy of Mr. Ribadu.” Mr. Ogbeh joined the Action Congress in 2006 alongside former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. Seen as one of the political leaders in Northern Nigeria, Mr. Ogbeh left the PDP following his fallout with former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.

He was ousted as PDP Chairman in January 2005 following his public criticism of the former President over the latter’s handling of the Anambra saga between the then Governor Chris Ngige, and his estranged ‘godfather’ Chris Uba. Mr Ogbeh, who was Chairman of the PDP from 2001 to 2005, had condemned Mr. Obasanjo for not calling Mr. Uba to order and stopping the carnage and destruction that went on in Anambra state during the crisis.

He was a member of the nine-man committee of the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) which chose Mr. Abubakar as consensus Northern aspirant for the PDP, though he reportedly voted for the Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki.

Ribadu to Kick start Campaign

Indications also emerged that Mr. Ribadu, who has chosen “A New Nigeria is Possible” as his campaign slogan, will commence his full campaign on December 15 when he is expected to hold a formal declaration.

Mr. Ribadu will challenge two other aspirants for the ticket of the Action Congress of Nigeria. They are Usman Bugaje, the national Secretary of the party, and Attahiru Bafarawa, the former governor of Sokoto State.

Should the ongoing discussions between the ACN and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) also come to fruition, Muhammadu Buhari, former military ruler and sole Presidential aspirant of the CPC will also be a contender for the ticket.

Bisi Akande, the outgoing national Chairman of the ACN had earlier confirmed the ongoing negotiations between both parties. While the ACN wants an outright merger of both parties to create a stronger party, the CPC wants an alliance that will see both parties present a single presidential candidate.

Chido Onumah, the director of communication of the Ribadu Campaign Organisation confirmed to NEXT that Mr. Ogbeh would head Mr.

Ribadu’s campaign while stating that other political parties and prominent personalities had also declared support for the aspirant.

“Our campaign is targeted at the average Nigerian, the man and woman on the street. That is why we are accepted not just by the traditional politicians, but by the millions of apolitical Nigerians. However, our ongoing widespread consultations led to the choice Chief Ogbeh who has shown himself as a man of courage who stands by the truth, as the Chairman of our campaign organisation,” Mr. Onumah stated.