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The former chairman
of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, has
refuted claims that he is plotting to hijack the Save Nigeria Group
(SNG) to secure his political relevance in 2011.

According to the
press statement by his aide, Chido Onumah, the recent utterances by the
pastor of the Latter Day Saints, Tunde Bakare, suggests such and does
not in any way reflect the plans of Mr Ribadu. “Nuhu Ribadu’s attention
has been drawn to claims in the Sunday (August 15, 2010) sermon of
respected preacher, Pastor Tunde Bakare, to the effect that Mr Ribadu
desires to hijack the Save Nigeria Group for the purpose of his
political ambition,” stated Mr Onumah. “Mr Ribadu strongly refutes this
claim and affirms that he has the highest regard for Pastor Bakare and
for his patriotic vision espoused through the SNG.”

The former
anti-graft czar added that he still salutes the sacrifice, energy, and
resources many Nigerians have invested in building the SNG, and hopes
it will continue to grow in strength to become a major movement that
will deepen democracy and national development. “I am convinced that
Pastor Bakare came to his conclusion on a mistaken brief, and I look
forward to meeting him soon to assure him that nothing like that ever,
or could ever happen, because of the kind of person I am and the
philosophy that guides my pubic conduct,” he said.

Mr Ribadu stated
that no one can deny the role SNG played, and continues to play, “as
our country tries to chart a path to greatness 50 years after
independence.” “The SNG has become a mass movement of patriotic
Nigerians from different walks of life and political persuasion whose
common vision is a new and better Nigeria,” he said. “It would not only
be presumptuous but tragic for any individual to think he or she can
‘hijack’ such a people-oriented organisation.”

Turbulence within

Last week, the SNG,
a coalition of civil society and human rights group, suspended Mr
Bakare, Yinka Odumakin, and Salihu Lukman from the group. According to
the coordinator of Lawyers of Conscience, Benedict Ezeagu, and the
Secretary General of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, Willy
Ezugwu, the three were suspended because they refused to heed to
warnings to stop activities that are contrary to the goals of the
group. Mr Ezeagu said the suspension order stands till the proper
constitution of the organization leadership structure was sorted out,
revealed that frontline activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, was urged to
convene a stakeholders meeting within two weeks.

They three members were accused associating with some politicians
and presidential aspirants, and making some negotiations with them on
behalf of the group. Mr Bakare and the other two members were said to
have met with the former EFCC boss. SNG said the trio were suspended
because their actions contrasted with the group’s objectives, insisting
that the group is non partisan.