Former Presidential Candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Malam Nuhu Ribadu has said that his defection from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the weekend was in pursuit of a good cause.
Ribadu, who was reacting to a floury of criticisms of his defection made it clear that he was not out to hurt or please anybody, saying that at no time he issued statement to disparage APC from where he had defected or its members.
“I wish to assure you that my defection is in pursuit of a good cause, and never out of any selfish interests as portrayed by a section.
“I know how difficult it may be for you to come to terms with my defection to another party. But I must assure you that it’s a carefully considered decision for which I do not wish to hurt anyone’s feeling. I will not embark on a needless animosity with my good friends, irrespective of political, religious, regional and ethnic affiliations.
“Let me quickly make it known that I did not issue a statement disparaging APC and its members, including Governors Amaechi, Kwankwaso… These were clearly fabricated, expected backlash, by mischievous characters interested in misleading the public and drawing a picture of non-existent feuds between me and my good friends.”
Ribadu said that his defection should not be seen as an initiation of political antagonism with his good friends in another party, adding: “I still hold them in high esteem, and even where there are marked differences, I believe there are decorous and honorable ways of resolving them.”
He asked his supporters to disregard any statement said to be by him attacking the personality of any politician since his defection, stressing that he would never allow himself to be drawn into such disrespectful exchange. [myad]
