Pioneer Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, may have perfected plans to dump Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, sequel to his declaration in Ila, Osun State, on Sunday, of readiness to join the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Ridadu, it was learnt held secret talks with former Osun State governor, Chief Bisi Akande, in his residence in Ila, where the plans may have been perfected.
It would be recalled that Malam Ribadu contested the last governorship election in Adamawa State on the platform of PDP, but lost to the APC candidate.
He was also the presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in 2011, while Chief Akande was the national chairman of the party and Osun was the only state where Ribadu won in the entire federation at the time.
The meeting, which lasted several hours, was held behind closed doors at the Oke Ila Road, country home of Chief Akande. A source informed our correspondent that the Ila meeting was most likely to prepare ground for Ribadu’s planned defection to APC.
“Details of the meeting is not for newsmen, but I can confirm to you Ribadu discussed with Chief Akande about his plans to move to APC.
Baba (Akande) enjoys a lot of respect of many party elders and people accord him the honour of being the first leader of our party, even when it was not certain we would make it.
“So coming to Ila, I believe is to prepare ground for him. Remember Baba (Akande) was the chairman of ACN when Ribadu ran for presidency in 2011.
“They have healthy relationship and that must have informed his coming to seek his blessings,” a chieftain of APC, who was in Akande’s residence during the meeting, but preferred not to be named, told our correspondent.
The source also added that Ribadu, before meeting Chief Akande, held meeting with members of the party in one of the halls in the Osun former governor’s lodge.
At the meeting, Ribadu was said to have disclosed his readiness to return to APC, saying the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, on which platform he contested the 2011 presidential poll was a big factor in today’s ruling mega party.
Reacting to the development, Osun State chapter of PDP said it was unaware of the visit of Ribadu to the state. In a telephone conversation with our correspondent, spokesperson of the party in the state, Prince Diran Odeyemi, said: “We are unaware of his visit. He didn’t inform us and we don’t expect him to come to Ila to declare he was leaving light for darkness.
“When did Ila become his constituency that he chose to declare he was crossing to APC in the town? We won’t be surprised, if in next few months he jumps to another party. But if he leaves, no one will miss him.”
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