20110115
This Day

Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu yesterday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria at the party's special convention held in Lagos.

Ribadu, who was among three aspirants who vied for the ticket, became the party's presidential flag bearer for the forthcoming April 2011 poll following the withdrawal of the two other aspirants from the race.

The aspirants who stepped down for Ribadu are former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and Mallam Seidu Mallami.

Ribadu's candidature was ratified by the convention through a voice vote after the deputy national chairman of the party, Boss Mustapha, cited Section 6 of the Electoral Act, which stipulates that where there is only one presidential aspirant in a party, the party shall convene a special convention for the confirmation of such an aspirant and his name will be forwarded to the Independent Nat-ional Electoral Commi-ssion.

While announcing his withdrawal from the race, Bafarawa, who described yesterday as a great day in the history of ACN, said he had made it clear from his campaigns that he did not join ACN primarily to realise his presidential ambition.