Erstwhile Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Adamawa State, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has held a private meeting with a former Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Bisi Akande.
This has sparked off speculations that he is working towards defecting to the ruling party.
It was reported that Ribadu made the visit to Akande’s residence on Sunday evening accompanied by the National Secretary of the APC, Mai Bala Buni.
The rumour over his likely defection has already attracted the reaction of the Director of Publicity and Strategy of the PDP in Osun State, Mr. Diran Odeyemi, who said “Ribadu has never proved to be a loyal party man.”
Ribadu had contested the 2011 presidential election on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, before returning to the PDP where he got the governorship ticket for the last election.
But speaking after the meeting which lasted few hours, Ribadu said he was at Ila-Orangun to reconnect with Akande, who he described as a father and statesman.
“Baba Akande is a very important person to all of us. He is a father in the true sense of the word. From the day I decided to venture into politics, I have benefited from his guidance and wisdom.
“I have not seen Baba in a long time, so I feel this is a good time to come and greet him at home. Of course, I have never been far away from Baba’s fountain of wisdom. Party differences cannot be a reason to abandon old ties,” Ribadu said.
He eulogised Akande, a former Osun State governor, and the people of the community while recalling the overwhelming support and affection he was shown by the people of Osun State during his 2011 presidential bid.
On his part, Akande said Ribadu’s visit was not political, stressing that “As an extended member of this community, I said he should come and greet you.”
But speaking with The Punch, Odeyemi berated the former anti-corruption agency boss for allegedly “going back and forth.”
He said, “I was told he visited Ila-Orangun but is Ila his local government, where he is supposed to announce his defection?
“Ribadu has never proved to be a loyal party man. He joined the PDP from the ACN and he is going back now. He is not somebody to be depended upon when it comes to politics.”
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