On Ribadu’s ridiculous tango with Nyame
Nyame is battling at the courts now to clear his name over an accusation from the EFCC. He is always a pitiful sight each time he is in court- a spectacle that belies the fact that this was the man who bestrode the state like a colossus. The courtroom footages always portray him as a […]
Nyame is battling at the courts now to clear his name over an accusation from the EFCC. He is always a pitiful sight each time he is in court- a spectacle that belies the fact that this was the man who bestrode the state like a colossus. The courtroom footages always portray him as a helpless felon in the jaw of the law. He tries to look disinterested and unfazed, but the humiliation of the entire ordeal is palpable. Apart from Nyame, even the governorship candidate Sen. Joel Ikenya was at a time a customer of the EFCC. What about Danladi Baido who actually spent months in some cold prison, courtesy of EFCC’s Ribadu. Now Ribadu is with these characters, selling their candidature. Has he apologised to them? Is it then true that all Ribadu did back then was not out of convinction but political expediency? Even if they say there are only permanent interests in politics, I still can’t understand the current romance between Ribadu and Nyame.
In Taraba particularly, Ribadu had a unique experience when he was EFCC’s boss. Who can forget the number of times his team had stormed Jalingo practically hunting for thieves? Residents then knew that the fear of the EFCC was the beginning of wisdom. Government officials were constantly harassed out of their wits because of the profile of corruption in the state. Crooks who called themselves public office holders were having fun at the expense of the people. It was Ribadu who saved Taraba State the catastrophe. So you can imagine the consternation of Taraba State indigenes when they saw Ribadu dancing with Nyame, Baido and Joel Ikenya on the rostrum last Friday. It was both heartbreaking and full of bitter irony.
Sale Ibrahim Lau wrote in from Magami, Jalingo.