Forces against Ribadu are after Yar’Adua - Northern groups

Hassan Ibrahim, Kaduna - 02.01.2008

A coalition of Northern pro-democracy and anti-corruption groups on Tuesday in Kaduna linked the recent redeployment of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to a plot by a powerful cabal to hijack the government of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

The group, Coalition of Pro-Democracy Groups in Kaduna, said at a joint news conference that the recent sack of the leadership of the EFCC by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, was the climax of the cabal’s plan to frustrate the government’s anti-corruption war.

The coalition alleged that the cabal met last August in London to put finishing touches to their plan against Ribadu and Yar’Adua, adding that the relevant security agencies in Nigeria and abroad already knew of the activities of the cabal.

The Inspector General of Police had, last Thursday, redeployed the EFCC boss, whom he said must proceed on a one-year course of study at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, Plateau State.

The convener of the Northern pro-democracy coalition, Mallam Umar Farouk, of the Coalition of Nigerians Against Corruption (CNAC), however, said there was more to this action of the Inspector General of Police against the EFCC than mere redeployment.