ACN VP ticket: How Adeola beat Ebi, Akabueze

THE Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, yesterday, formally submitted Mr. Fola Adeola to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the running mate of its presidential candidate, Nuhu Ribadu.
GidiGlobe learnt that Adeola, erstwhile Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, beat former Deputy Governor of the Central  Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Ernest Ebi and Lagos State Commissioner for Budget Mr. Ben Akabueze to the position of Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria for the spot.
ACN determination
Adeola it was learnt, was chosen on the basis of the determination of the ACN Presidential Candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to have an economic guru as his running mate.
A top party source told GidiGlobe: “Ribadu had said that his vice-president must be an economic expert and that is why you see that with the exception of Ngige all other considerations were on economic experts.”
However, the choice of another Muslim to be running mate for Mallam Ribadu was raising apprehension among party insiders despite the enthusiasm of some that the pair of Ribadu and Adeola would rekindle the victory achieved by the Muslim-Muslim ticket of Moshood Abiola and Babagana Kingibe in the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Managing Director of the World Bank, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who was Ribadu’s first choice declined the offer party sources said.
Party insiders GidiGlobe learnt had then focused on Dr. Chris Ngige from Anambra State who was favoured for his capacity for grassroots mobilization ahead of Ribadu’s primary criteria of economic expertise.
Ngige was, however, given the cold shoulder by a top party chieftain from Lagos, a development that compelled him to dash for his Anambra Central senatorial ticket.
GidiGlobe learnt that Ngige was screened for the post but “declined” for personal reasons, a party source said yesterday.
Ebi and Akabueze were the other choices but they were reportedly turned down in favour of Adeola on account of what one party source disclosed as “Adeola’s charismatic personality”.
Besides, Mr. Adeola is believed to have deeper pockets to contribute to the presidential campaign of the ACN.
Adeola is presently the chairman of FATE Foundation, a charitable foundation he founded to promote entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths. He founded the foundation following his exit from Guaranty Trust Bank Plc which he founded in 1990 and served as Managing Director and Chief Executive for 12 years.