Malam Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of  Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who formally defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party last weekend today moved a step further towards contesting in the Adamawa State gubernatorial election scheduled for  11 October  on the platform of his new party.

This he did by picking the nomination form for the polls. 

The N11 million  form was collected on behalf of the former EFCC Chairman by his political associate,   Alhaji Ahmidu Mahmoud.

In an interview with journalists after he picked the form, Mahmoud   said Ribadu is ready to participate in the primary to pick the PDP gubernatorial flag bearer for the October poll. 

Ribadu… picks PDP nomination form

He added that Ribadu has begun the process of getting waiver which will enable him participate in the primary.

“The waiver clause in the party’s constitution was not inserted because of him. He is expected to enjoy the waiver. We have applied for the waiver and we expect that he would get it,” said Mahmoud who added that Ribadu is not relying on the support of President Goodluck Jonathan as has been reported to win the Adamawa state gubernatorial primary. 

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the election for  11 October , 2014. 

Mahmoud added that some PDP chieftains in Adamawa State convinced Ribadu to join their party. 

It was gathered that Ribadu had in a letter dated 16 August to Adamu Muazu, the PDP Chairman asked for clearancewaiver to contest the gubernatorial primary as a fresher in the party. 

But Ribadu is just one of the 13 aspirants who have paid N11 million to buy the PDP nomination form for the Adamawa gubernatorial poll as at Monday.  

Other aspirants who have paid the mandatory fee of N10 million and N1 million Expression of Interest form include former Minister of state (Health), Dr. Idi Hong, acting governor, Umar Fintiri, former Political Adviser to the president, Ahmed Gulak and  former Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Ahmed Moddibo.

The party said it will end sale of form to its governorship aspirants on Tuesday.