APC Finally Gets Approval From Adamawa Govt To Use Ribadu Square For Campaign

Fresh information has emerged that the Adamawa State Government has finally granted approval to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its use of Ribadu Square as the venue for its presidential campaign slated for Monday, January 9.

Naija News reports that this development was contained in a letter from the Government House, which was sighted by Daily Post on Saturday night.

According to the said letter, the APC campaign council had reapplied for the use of the Ribadu Square with a shift in date of its campaign to Monday, January 9 of which approval was granted.

Earlier, it was learnt that the management of Ribadu Square turned down an application for the square to be used as the venue for the campaign flag-off of the APC’s governorship candidate in the state, Aishatu Ahmed Binani on the same date.

Naija News reported on Saturday that Governor Ahmadu Fintiri-led Adamawa State Government rejected a request by President Muhammadu Buhari for the use of the state-owned Ribadu Square in Yola, the state capital, for the APC presidential campaign.

It was gathered that the Chief Spokesperson and Director of Public Affairs, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo (SAN) had revealed that Buhari is scheduled to lead the party’s campaign in the state on Monday.

The Chief of Staff to the president, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, had earlier sent a notice to the Adamawa State Government on Buhari’s planned visit to participate in the APC rally at Ribadu Square.

But in a reply to Buhari’s request, the Secretary to the State Government, Bashiru Ahmad, said the facility would be unavailable on the proposed date.

Ahmad in the reply to the Presidency letter said: “I write to acknowledge your letter ref. SH/COS/28/16/A/793 dated 3” January 2023 addressed to His Excellency, the Governor, in respect of the above subject matter.

“It is with utmost joy that we always welcome the news of a visit by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Adamawa State and always prepare to accord him a rousing welcome with the highest level of respect notwithstanding political party differences.

“Please note that, on this proposed visit that is scheduled for 9 January, 2023 and considering the purpose of the visit which is rally, the only befitting place (Ribadu Square) that is secured enough to host Mr. President, on occasions like this, and the surrounding infrastructural facilities are under extensive renovation. We, therefore, write to inform you that, much as we would want to provide a place befitting to receive Mr. President, we are constrained because we cannot guarantee the readiness of Ribadu Square before the due date of the flag-off. However, we are working round the clock and racing against time, along with the contractors, to get the place fairly ready to receive the President on the 18 January, 2023 when the presidential campaign train of the APC berths in our state.

“Sir, while hoping that you will take seriously the foregoing in your planning, accept, as always my highest respect for your esteemed office.”

However, Naija News gathered that APC supporters in Yola and Abuja kicked against the move by accusing the state government of being behind the rejection.

It was learnt that the letter addressed to the Adamawa State Coordinator of the state APC Presidential Campaign Council, Martins Babale, and signed by the Chief of Staff to Governor Fintiri, Professor Maxwell Gidado, said Babale’s request to Fintiri, dated January 6, 2023, had been acted upon.

The letter reads “You will recall that an earlier approval had been given to the APC Presidential Campaign Council to hold its presidential flag-off campaign from 15th-18th January 2023.

“However, following the change of date of your Presidential campaign in Yola from 15th to 9th of January, 2023, I am directed to grant you approval for the use of Mahmud Ribadu Square for your national campaign on 7th-9th January 2023 accordingly.”