Ribadu calls for change in Benue

The Presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu yesterday urged the people of Benue State to vote for change in the next month’s elections.

He called on his supporters to use the broom, the symbol of the party as a veritable tool for sweeping away the current government that is characterised by corruption, insecurity and poverty.

He spoke in Gboko, Benue State during the presentation of flag to the party’s governorship candidate, Prof Steve Ugbah and his running mate Abubakar ‘Young’ Alhaji.

Ribadu said: “Change is here. Change has come. The broom is here, we need to change all the bad people. Benue will be free, no more corruption, no more insecurity, poverty. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, you have seen the results. Nigerians are speaking. We are here to present to you insha allah the governor of Benue State on May 29.”

Earlier, the party’s National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande presented the flag to Ribadu and his running mate, Mr. Fola Adeola.

He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration had become desperate since it discovered that people were rejecting it and have now resorted to intimidating members of the opposition.

Akande said intimidation does not bother his party and its supporters, adding that when ACN assume office, it would fight poverty, disease and force the PDP government to quit.

He said: “The PDP government has become desperate because they are being rejected by all of you, Nigerian people. In their desperation, they are resorting to intimidation of the opponents. But we are not bothered.

“We urge you to vote in the government of the Action Congress of Nigeria, the government that will begin the intimidation of poverty, the government that will intimidate disease, that will force PDP government to surrender to the people of Nigeria.”

To the youths, Akande said: “We are going to give you credible leaders; Ribadu and Adeola, whom I am now going to present this flag of honour to .

Ugbah promised to transform the state like what Governor Babatunde Fashola has done in Lagos State.

He lamented that in the last three and half years of Governor Gabriel Suswam administration, no tangible development had been recorded. Besides, he noted that there was no hope that the current administration will improve.

Senator Joseph Waku called on the people to embrace the opportunity of change that the ACN has provided them in order to enjoy democracy.

He said the surging crowd was the genuine one that indicates the yearnings of the people and not the rented crowd which the PDP parades.

The former Governor of Taraba State, Rev. Jolly Nyame told the people that he brought a movement which will liberate Benue State.

“I bring greetings to you from Taraba State. We are here to encourage you. We have come to tell you that there is a great movement and this movement nobody can stop it. This is the movement that will bring in Ribadu, Onoja, Akume and others” he said.

Former Benue State Governor Senator George Akume noted that nothing is sweet as democracy; a government that is accountable to the people. He added that no good government beat its own people as it is now in Benue.

The atmosphere was charged when Tinubu, Ribadu and Adeola arrived at the venue at 5.25pm. Tinubu said the party will form the government in May.