Mallam Nuhu Ribadu
A former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Thursday said he was not afraid of running against President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar or other contenders in the 2011 presidential election.
Ribadu, who spoke at the 83rd birthday anniversary of a foremost journalist, Alhaji Alade Odunewu, at the Yoruba Tennis Club in Lagos, said those aspiring to the presidency were not better than him.
Speaking on the theme, ‘The Nigeria quagmire: the way forward,’ he lamented that corruption, greed, hypocrisy and dishonesty had continued to dog Nigeria’s socio-economic and political development. He stressed that until there was a radical departure from outdated ways, progress would continue to elude the country.
“There are no better political gladiators than I am. Go and check what I did for the country, you will agree that I want to join the race to cure the ills of the nation.
“I am not joining the race for selfish purpose but to contribute my quota towards the growth and development of our dear country. Nigeria is a great country and it requires honest people to make it realise its potential for the good of all,” he said.
Ribadu, who said he would make a formal declaration in the next two weeks in Abuja, regretted that the wealth of the nation remained in the hands of few people who were not willing to allow others to make progress.
He said, “Corruption is the cankerworm that has eaten deep into the moral fabric of the nation. It has affected every segment of the country’s life.
“Corruption is the reason we cannot get true democracy. The earlier this monster is solved the better for all Nigerians. It is not uncommon to see government officials brandishing wealth with such reckless abandon. People who are supposed to serve the people are busy buying exotic cars; building choice houses and living outlandish lifestyle at the expense of the people who voted them in.
“This is not good for the country and the system has to change for the people to have a new lease of life. Nigerians are not demanding for much: they need good roads, electricity, pipe-borne water, a functional health care system, good education and those things that make life worth living. That is all.”
Ribadu said Nigeria had the potential to be a leading force in the comity of nations if the right things were done. He recalled that as EFCC chairman, he secured 300 convictions and recovered more than N5bn stolen funds.
He also extolled the contributions of Nigerian journalists to the growth of democracy in the country and urged them not to relent in their efforts.
“The media has a great role to play in the country’s drive to get true democracy. I urge the men of the noble profession to rise to the occasion so that usurpers will not seize the country from Nigerians,” he said.
Ribadu also commended Odunewu for contributing immensely to the growth of the journalism profession. He recalled that during Odunewu’s time at the defunct Daily Times, his analytical comments were reference points for government officials.
Ribadu, who said he did not believe in ‘do-or-die politics,’ explained that he joined the presidential race to contribute his quota to the development of the country. He said he believed that through this, he could bring relief to Nigerian youths and other less-privileged persons.
He also urged Nigerian youths to vote wisely in the 2011 elections and not sacrifice their rights for gratification. He decried the situation where the youths and other less-privileged Nigerians were suffering in the midst of plenty.
Source:http://www.punchng.com
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