Day Ribadu flagged off presidential campaign in Dutse

On Monday, stalwarts and supporters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) converged on the Malam Aminu Kano Triangle in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital to flag off the presidential campaign of Malam Nuhu Ribadu, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Tagged history in the making, the campaign was meant for the seven north-west zone that include Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna and Jigawa states. Daily Trust observed that the capital was agog with fanfare as the politicians’ motorcade brought vehicular traffic to a standstill.

To the party’s chairman in Jigawa State, Dr. Abubakar Hassan Fulata, the ACN campaign in Jigawa marked the beginning of generational change in Nigerian political circle. He noted that, north-west, which has the highest population in the federation, has been dominated by PDP’s governors, who have misappropriated public funds for the past 12 years.

“We have been subjected to abject poverty and unemployment. It is high time for us to put our strength together and sweep the PDP out of power in Jigawa State and indeed at the national level. We need generational change come April elections,” he noted.

Unveiling the presidential candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and his running mate Mr. Fola Adeola, the national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, said the Ribadu-Adeola ticket would solve the problems of corruption, insecurity and poverty.

“I present to the nation two young men. One of them Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is an expert in security and fight against corruption, while his running mate Mr. Fola Adeola is a seasoned technocrat and an economist. I am sure this combination would bring about the quality leadership Nigeria deserves today,” Akande told the crowd.

Akande added that, Nigerians have been crying for new brand of leadership that would solve their problems, saying “here are two courageous leaders that will fight injustice and corruption. Leaders that will enable the masses to have access to education, electricity and employment.”

The ACN chairman accused PDP of retrogressing the country, saying the ruling PDP had disappointed Nigerians; hence Nigeria deserves a generational change that could remedy the failures of the ruling government. He, however, urged Nigerians to join the ACN in the ongoing struggle to sweep the ruling party come April elections.

The ACN’s presidential candidate, Nuhu Ribadu, on his part, said the country needs a purposeful leadership that would bring about economic prosperity, security of lives and property and improvement in the lives of the citizens.

Handing over the party’s flags to its governorship candidates from Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States, the former chairman of the EFCC prayed God to enable the ACN rid the nation of poverty and corruption.

“I am presenting the ACN’s flag to you to sweep in justice, corruption and indeed the PDP-led government in Jigawa State in the April, 29 general elections. Nigeria needs generational change now and ACN is the solution to Nigerian’s problems,” Ribadu said. On his part, Ribadu’s running mate, Mr. Fola Adeola said, “if elected into office, we will work hard to provide you gainful employment. We are ready to work hard so that tomorrow will be better than today.” Also speaking, the former governor of Jigawa State, Senator Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, said he regretted being instrumental to the election of the incumbent governor, Sule Lamido, saying he would now bring to Jigawa people a governor that would restore their pride and hope.

Seeking forgiveness from the Jigawa people for supporting Sule Lamido in 2007, the former governor said, “I am seeking for your forgiveness for bringing to you Sule Lamido as your governor in 2007. I am assuring you that, we will fish him out of power in 2011”.

Turaki added that the abolished ‘polling unit funds’ (a kind of grant given to people under each polling unit) would be restored by the ACN if elected come April election. He also said that the ecological funds, which the present government allegedly diverted, would be returned to the people.

Turaki also assured Jigawa women that their stray animals that were illegally evacuated by government, would be given back to the owners by the ACN government. He also promised that “the monies that were illegally deducted from the local governments’ account by the present administration would be returned to the owners.”

The Jigawa State ACN gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, assured party supporters that his government will focus on job creation, agriculture and poverty alleviation.

“We have been accused of not coming to Jigawa to see our people; here we are today and if you elect us into office, we will create more job opportunities to you. We will improve agriculture, education and health delivery,” he added.

Former Lagos state Governor, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, charged youths across the country to elect Ribadu, saying, the former EFCC’s boss was the hope of the youths. He said a Ribadu-Adeola government would bring education and employment closer to the citizens.

“Jigawa State is blessed with agricultural potentials, but we learnt that government has seized your lands. We will give back your lands if you elect ACN because ACN is your hope and future,” he reaffirmed.

Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Babatunde Raji Fashola, said Nigeria’s generational change began in Jigawa State with the formal lunching of the Ribadu-Adeola ticket. “Nigerians are complaining on insecurity and corruption, Ribadu will solve this. You are also complaining of economic deterioration, Mr. Fola is the solution,” the ex-Lagos governor said.

“With highest number of over 18 million registered eligible voters, North-West can make significant contribution in changing government in the next election. We have seen examples in Lagos, Osun and Ondo, therefore we can bring change in Jigawa and indeed in Nigeria as a whole,” noted Fashola.

Daily Trust observed that, those present at the ACN rally included the party’s national chairman Chief Bisi Akande, Kano State Deputy Governor and ACN gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo, former Benue State Governor, Senator George Akume, former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, Dr. Usman Bugaje and Hajiya Naja’atu Muhammad, among other party stalwarts.

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