ABUJA — Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, yesterday, took up issues with the Presidency for calling the former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, boss, Nuhu Ribadu, an ingrate and a hypocrite, following his claim that Nigerian under Jonathan was a sinking ship.
Mohammed, who spoke in an exclusive interview with Vanguard, noted with dismay the disposition of the Presidency to pour invectives on Nigerians who dared the administration.
The politician said rather than vilify Ribadu for pointing out its shortcomings, the Presidency should be grateful to him for easing Diepreye Alamieyeseigha from office in 2005 and paving the way for Jonathan as acting governor, who eventually became governor and Vice President of Nigeria.
Mohammed, who expressed disappointment with the way the Presidency was desperately trying to distort history, stated that there would have been no Jonathan’s Presidency without the risk taken by Ribadu to ease out Alamieyeseigha using the EFCC as a platform.
President Goodluck Jonathan and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu
He said: “It is actually President Jonathan, who should show a debt of gratitude to Ribadu because if he had not moved against Alamieyeseigha in 2005 using the EFCC as an attack dog, Jonathan would not have been where he is today.
“Whether what Ribadu did was right or wrong under the law, Jonathan benefitted from his action and I say this without any prejudice to what former President Obasanjo wanted to use the anti-graft agency for during the 2007 election.
“In the circumstance in which we have found ourselves, Reuben Abati and his master, Jonathan should do their homework well and try to understand the implications of not paying adequate gratitude to those who helped them to where they are today.”
The Kano politician also vilified the Presidency for trying to make a mockery of the benevolence, which it extended to Ribadu following a desperate move by agents of the previous administration to persecute the former EFCC boss.
According to him, Jonathan did not do anything new or extraordinary by restoring his police rank and paving the way for him to return from self exile after taking over as President.
Mohammed said: “There is nothing anyone could do to deny Ribadu of his citizenship of Nigeria, especially as he was not found guilty of any offence either within or outside Nigeria and knowing very well that he was merely being persecuted by the former regime.
“To me, if Ribadu was on the run, he did so to save his dear life, which was being seriously threatened by the forces in the country. Jonathan recalled him and restored him to his rank because he knew very well that the persecution of Ribadu was illegal, unconstitutional and detestable”.
While calling on Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, to be more careful in descending on Nigerians for airing their views on issues affecting the nation, Mohammed wondered why Abati had chosen to use uncouth language to disparage Nigerians for talking about their President and their country.
He added that, “Abati’s use of language in the name of the President is most unbecoming and a disgrace to Nigerians and Nigeria.”"
Ribadu got into trouble with the Villa following a lecture he gave in Kaduna, weekend, during which he described the nation under President Jonathan as a sinking ship. The Presidency fired back, describing Ribadu as an ingrate and a hypocrite.
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