The Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has refuted media reports that the party had endorsed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for any elective political position during its recent stakeholders’ meeting in Hong Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Abdullahi, the party described the report as a “mischievous distortion” of the true purpose and outcome of the meeting.
He said the meeting was part of the party’s ongoing grassroots mobilisation tour across local government areas in the state.
There has been a crisis in the North-East chapter of the APC over the chances of Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027.
There was chaos at a stakeholders summit of the party on Sunday, as the Borno State party leaders demanded the endorsement of Shettima as running mate to Tinubu in 2027.
The move, it was gathered, followed the moves by some party leaders in Adamawa State for Ribadu to replace Shettima.
The Adamawa State chapter of the APC, however, denied such a move.
“The attention of the Adamawa State chapter of the APC has been drawn to a news item circulating in some sections of the media (not The PUNCH) regarding a purported endorsement of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
“We wish to state categorically that the report is entirely misleading and misrepresents the purpose and proceedings of the meeting held in Hong,” he said.
According to the statement, the gathering was organised to strengthen party unity, re-energise grassroots structures, and communicate the unanimous decision of the state, zonal, and national leadership of the APC to support President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office.
“The meeting was held in continuation of our ongoing local government tours aimed at mobilising our members and passing down the collective position of the party at all levels—that President Tinubu deserves another term of four years,” the statement noted.
The party clarified that while a vote of confidence was indeed passed in favour of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, an illustrious son of Adamawa State, for his performance as NSA, the position should not be misconstrued as an endorsement for any political ambition.
“There is no basis or justification for endorsing the NSA or any political appointee.
“Appointments are made solely at the discretion of Mr President. We as a party respect that prerogative and cannot impose or preempt his decisions,” Abdullahi added.
The APC maintained that Ribadu’s commendation was purely in recognition of his contributions to national security and the positive image he had brought to Adamawa State through his high-profile role in the administration.
“We are proud of Mallam Ribadu’s performance. As an appointee of the President, he has conducted himself with dignity and excellence.
“That is why we passed a vote of confidence in him, not an endorsement for political office,” Abdullahi clarified.
The party urged the public and the media to disregard any attempts to twist the narrative or sow disunity within the APC fold.
“We caution against reports that are meant to create unnecessary confusion and provoke division within the party. Such falsehoods will not distract us from our mission,” the statement added.
There are speculations that the NSA may contest for the governorship of the state, a position he contested and lost three times.
In 2023, Ribadu lost the APC primary election to Senator Aishatu Binani.(Punch)
