Letter to Ribadu

Ribadu, 
Glad that you have joined the presidential race to contest under the platform of,
Action Congress of Nigeria. Last year (May 29th 2009), at the state of the Nigerian
nation symposium, held at the London Metropolitan University, organized by the
Nigerian Liberty Forum, people at the auditorium started shouting Ribadu for
president, after your speech. Perhaps you have decided to answer the call of those
Nigerians that shouted Ribadu for president.
 
You won my admiration after your speech on that day. I became fascinated about your
comments on the Niger Delta crises, corruption, Atiku Abubakar (former Vice
President), Chief Gani Fawehinmi, etc. You even dared the late Yar Adua’s government
when you sneaked into the country to see Gani’s corpse at the mortuary. I have no
doubts, that you have won the admiration of other Nigerians, while am also not under
any illusion that many will not be comfortable with your presidential ambition. 
 
It gave me pleasure, when I heard about your involvement with the formation of
Nigeria shadow government/cabinet in the United States of America. Shadow
government/cabinet is also an idea I have propagated in the past. As we prepare for
elections next year, let me also ask Nigerians to also prepare for the formation of
shadow government/cabinet. Further details can be found on the enclosed web link
(http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/2010/02/shadow-government.html). 
 
Your entrance into the presidential race has provided Nigerians with additional
choice to make between other presidential aspirants. Though that, you might not have
fought corruption completely during your tenure as the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC), personally I give you kudos for the extent you reached in
fighting corruption in Nigeria. You were quoted saying that, when you fight
corruption, corruption fights you back. I will agree with you completely on that.
Corruption can only be fought with the active collaboration of Nigerians. No agency
can fight it alone, because corruption has grown into a monster in Nigeria.
 
Giving free and fair election, and the candidate with the most track record at
fighting corruption, I believe you stand better chances of wining. However, I am a
bit skeptical about some top members of your chosen party (Action Congress of
Nigeria), many of whom are corrupt politicians. Be that as it may, am also aware
that in politics, there are no permanent friends, or permanent enemies, but
permanent interests. Perhaps that could explain your involvement. But I have a
different view, which is that corrupt politicians should be declared enemies of the
Nigerian state.
 
For the sake of credibility, I would suggest you seek your presidential career with
the National Conscience Party (NCP), founded by the late Gani Fawehinmi (Senior
Advocate of the Masses). More so, be prepared to disclose publicly all sources of
your campaign funding. We will also like to know the following; costs of your
campaign, public declaration of your assets and liabilities, medical certificate of
fitness, and your manifesto to govern Nigeria, including plans to fight corruption.
As you do the above, be sure I will campaign for you. May God bless Nigeria.
 
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK