Last-minute negotiations are ongoing for Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to step down his governorship ambition in support of Mahmood Halilu Ahmed, President Muhammadu Buhari’s in-law better known as Modi.
This was confirmed by a source close to Ribadu, who told SaharaReporters on Friday: “My principal may take up ministerial position or chairmanship of the North-East Development Commission in the concession.”
SaharaReporters confirmed that Sadiq Mohammed, an elder statesman better known as Kalu, is currently interfacing between the two men. It is widely believed that a consensus is required to beat Governor Jibrilla Bindow to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket.
Both Ribadu and Modi hail from Yola South Local Government Area in the central senatorial zone that has never produced the state governor since the creation of the state, while Bindow hails from the northern zone, which has already produced three governors.
Modi’s governorship ambition has received support from eminent party stakeholders, including former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal; Abubakar Girei, who represented Adamawa Central in the Senate from 1999 to 2003; Alhaji Sadiq Mohammed (Walin Ganye), Senator Bello Tukur and a host of other stakeholders, culminating in Markus Gudiri’s withdrawal from the race.
The APC has been embroiled in internal strife in the run-up to the party’s congresses in the state, leading to its factionalisation along two groups.
The imbroglio has further deteriorated with the party having to decide which option of primaries to adopt. While the Bindow group clamoured for the indirect primary, the group headed by Lawal settled for the direct primary mode.
However, the APC National Working Committee (NWC) has favoured Bindow’s choice of indirect option, which is why Ribadu and Modi must reach a deal to front a consensus aspirant against Bindow.
Just on Thursday, Buba Marwa, former Military Governor of Lagos and Borno states, turned in his campaign structure to Modi to help boost his chances.
The governorship primary of the APC holds on Sunday. (SaharaReporters)
