Why Nuhu Ribadu And Gov. El-Rufai Don’t Talk

0
2705

Ribadu

Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu were among the prominent faces that wielded enormous influence during the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Nuhu Ribadu and Nasir El-Rufai became so close that the former EFCC Chairman would have emerged Obasanjo’s successor if El-Rufai had had his way as he, according to a source insisted on Nuhu’s candidature until the former president settled for late Umaru Yar’Adua.

Sequel to the emergence of Umaru Yar’Adua as president, the duo of Nasir and Ribadu had their statuses surprisingly metamorphosed into opposition leaders as they both became the target for persecution by the new power brokers and the kitchen cabinet members.

Following the unplanned change in the power equation that suddenly threw up Goodluck Jonathan as president, Nasir remained in the progressive fold while Nuhu Ribadu got lured into the PDP. He later got the governorship ticket of the party in Adamawa State.

His decision to change political alliance according to a source angered Nasir and contrary to public postures the relationship between the two Fulani eggheads is far from being cordial.

‘Ribadu has not frequented Kaduna where his friend is the first citizen or has any influence there because they are in a cold war, Nasir is yet to forgive his friend for joining PDP because of an alluring guber dream that later ended a mirage’, said a source.

Another source who spoke in defence of Ribadu, however, stated that his decision to dump ACN was justifiable, considering the way the party leaders dumped him on the eve of the 2011 election particularly in the South West as he only won in Osun State because Aregbesola wanted to prove a point. ‘The Kaduna State governor is expected to show understanding with his old friend and straighten relationship with him’, a source said… Akinlolu Abayomi.EL RUFAI