The Adamawa State Secretariat complex of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was on Wednesday thrown into spontaneous, carnival-like celebration as thousands of supporters excorted Mustapha Atiku Ribadu to return his nomination form for the party’s organizing secretary to the secretariat.
The party has scheduled its state congress for 16th October 2021 necessitating those aspiring for offices to purchase nomination forms to indicate interests into the various available offices.
But a group of friends and well wishers who believed in the principles and populist posture of Ribadu have last week purchased the nomination form of the party’s organizing secretary for him on account of his integrity, spiritedness, philantrophy and dedication to the cause of humanity, saying that Ribadu will help reposition the party ahead of the 2023 general election.
The enthusiastic supporters vowed to pressure Ribadu to accept their clarion call to become part of the state exco of the party saying Ribadu has all it takes to put the party on the path of probity, and accountability, promising to mobilize resources to campaign and ensure his victory at the polls.
The group on Wednesday in fulfilment of their promises mobilized thousands of supporters from all nooks and crannies of the state to escort Ribadu to the secretariat where he submitted the nomination form.
The secretariat complex was filled to the brim as mammoth crowd of exuberant youths singing solidarity songs besieged it.
Security operatives had a tough time trying to control the surging crowd who literally occupied the complex as the event lasted.
In a session with newsmen shortly after submitting his nomination form, Ribadu said, he was at the secretariat to answer the clarion call of the people who prodded him to serve them.
“As you can see, I submitted my nomination form in deference to the will of my supporters, friends and well wishers who bought the nomination form and ask me to contest.
“There is no way I could have rejected the call of the people and I want to assure them that by the special grace of Allah, I will never disappoint them.
“I will ensure that our beloved party is repositioned and put back to the path of honour and probity. From the huge support base that came here, it is clear that we enjoy the peoples confidence.
” I promise not to fritter away such unprecedented goodwill bestowed on me by the people,” Ribadu pledged.
In an interview with newsmen, a female supporter of Ribadu, Zainab Sallau said if the support of the people is what lead to victory, then Ribadu is already there.
“Without mincing words, we know Ribadu has no rival. This contest is already a walk over. My call is that the leadership of the party should allow a free and fair process and we have no faintest fear of the victory of our anointed candidate.
“It is a payback time now because Ribadu has dedicated all his life in service to the people. What you have seen here today is that there is always a reward for service to the people,” she said.
Another supporter of Ribadu, Aliyu Aliyu urged him to go to sleep as they had already mobilized resources which they will use in going to every nook and cranny to campaign for him.
“We have concluded all finishing touches to ensure the victory of Ribadu. He has all his life served us as people regardless of ones inclination. Now its a pay back time. From the cheering crowd, one can see that Ribadu is a man of the people regardless of gender, ethnic or religious biases as women, men, young, old, Christians Muslims are all here today,” he said.