Integrity vs. Opportunism: The Salihu Garba Truth vs. Ribadu’s Political Acrobatics

By Tgnews

In a scathing rebuttal, Saddam Muhammed has exposed the desperate attempts of Nuhu Ribadu’s camp to distract from the real issues with cheap personal attacks. The controversy began when Salihu Garba courageously penned an article, “Nigeria Must Reject Deception and Corruption: Why Tinubu and Ribadu Cannot Be Trusted in 2027,” which laid out irrefutable facts about Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nuhu Ribadu’s political opportunism and corruption.

Muhammed’s statement reads: “When facts shake the foundations of power, the corrupt don’t counter with truth; they unleash barking dogs to distract, defame, and distort reality. This is exactly what has played out after Salihu Garba courageously penned his article, “Nigeria Must Reject Deception and Corruption: Why Tinubu and Ribadu Cannot Be Trusted in 2027.” The piece laid out, with irrefutable facts, why Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, represent the worst of Nigeria’s political opportunism and corruption. Instead of responding with facts or logic, Ribadu’s camp deployed a predictable tactic: smear attacks.

“In a desperate bid to shift the conversation, Har—Ribadu’s political attack dog—authored a hollow response titled, “Dragging Reputable Figures Into The Political Fray Won’t Help Your Debacle Career.” But let’s be clear: barking does not equal reasoning, and no amount of political noise can erase documented facts.”

According to Mohammed, Salihu Garba have a record of excellence and patriotism.

Salihu Garba was a distinguished systems architect in NNPC from 1991 to 2018, spearheading innovative solutions that enhanced transparency, efficiency

“Before delving into the intellectual poverty of Har’s response, let’s remind Nigerians who Salihu Garba really is, he said.

“A First-Class IT Professional & Patriot: Salihu Garba was a distinguished systems architect in NNPC from 1991 to 2018, spearheading innovative solutions that enhanced transparency, efficiency, and cost savings. One of his landmark achievements was the Internet-Based Market/Price Intelligence System for Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), which eliminated fake invoices, slashed bureaucratic delays from three months to a week, and ensured the timely maintenance of critical refinery equipment.

“A UK-Trained Expert Who Chose Nigeria Over Foreign Opportunities: In 2007, after earning a First-Class BSc (Hons) in Internet Information Systems from the UK, Salihu had multiple job offers abroad. But unlike political opportunists, he rejected the allure of foreign comfort and chose to return home to serve Nigeria.

Salihu exposed massive financial waste in the failed SAP ERP project, refused to compromise his integrity despite offers of special promotions, and played a key role in NNPC’s 20 Fixes initiative

“A Reformer Who Took on Corruption in NNPC: Salihu exposed massive financial waste in the failed SAP ERP project, refused to compromise his integrity despite offers of special promotions, and played a key role in NNPC’s 20 Fixes initiative, which led to the development of the PetroTracker/DSDP ePro system—saving Nigeria millions of dollars monthly.

“A Man of the People, Not a Political Godson: Unlike Ribadu, who has jumped from ACN to PDP to APC chasing power, Salihu Garba rejected the corrupt system of party primaries that demanded ₦8 million just to buy a nomination form. Instead, he invested in youth empowerment, and in appreciation, Adamawa’s young progressives gave him a platform under the Alliance National Party (ANP) to contest the Adamawa Central Senatorial Seat in 2023.”

According to Mohammed, while Salihu’s life is marked by service and principle, Nuhu Ribadu’s career has been a masterclass in political gymnastics and moral contradictions, which he termed ‘Ribadu’s Political Acrobatics: A Record of Self-Serving Ambition.ʼ

Mohammed reiterated that “in 2011, Ribadu was the presidential candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)—a party controlled by Tinubu. He campaigned against Buhari, claiming that Buhari’s leadership was outdated. Now, he shamelessly serves the very people he once opposed. (Premium Times, 2014)

“In 2014, Ribadu shamelessly defected to the PDP, abandoning ACN principles in exchange for a guaranteed governorship ticket in Adamawa from then-President Goodluck Jonathan. But instead of being crowned governor, he was disgracefully defeated.

“In 2023, Ribadu contested APC primaries, allegedly buying delegates’ votes at ₦500,000 each. Yet, he lost to a woman whose political rise is tainted by the UBE ₦50 billion fraud scandal and a “sex-for-admission” scandal in ABU Zaria, as exposed by Sahara Reporters.

“From anti-corruption czar to political pawn: Ribadu once led EFCC with a claim to fighting corruption. Now, he serves under the most corruption-tainted political figure in Nigeria’s history, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Har’s Empty Barking: The Weapon of the Desperate

If Ribadu is so clean, why doesn’t he address the allegations Salihu raised about his political inconsistency and his compromised role in Tinubu’s government?

“Faced with these undeniable truths, Ribadu could not respond himself. Instead, he sent his political attack dog, Har, to deflect, distort, and derail the conversation. But let’s be clear:

“If Ribadu is so clean, why doesn’t he address the allegations Salihu raised about his political inconsistency and his compromised role in Tinubu’s government?

“If Salihu Garba’s criticisms are false, why is Har resorting to personal attacks instead of fact-based rebuttals?

“If Tinubu and Ribadu truly have Nigeria’s best interests at heart, why are they surrounded by allegations of fraud, vote-buying, and betrayal?”

In Mohammed’s Final Words which he said ‘Facts Over Noiseʼ

He assured that “Salihu Garba’s integrity is publicly verifiable through his records in NNPC, interviews with Liberty Radio & TV, Gotel News, and TG News, and countless documented projects that saved Nigeria millions of dollars. Meanwhile, Ribadu’s track record is littered with political betrayals, failed ambitions, and questionable financial dealings.

“Har may continue barking, but the facts remain unshaken. The real question is: When will Ribadu and his handlers address the real issues? Until then, we will not be distracted by noise.”

Nigeria Must Reject Deception and Corruption: Why Tinubu and Ribadu Cannot Be Trusted in 2027

Further Reading, Mohammed said as he pointed out recent articles: “Salihu Garba’s Original Article: “Nigeria Must Reject Deception and Corruption: Why Tinubu and Ribadu Cannot Be Trusted in 2027.”

“Har’s Weak Response: “Dragging Reputable Figures Into The Political Fray Won’t Help Your Debacle Career.”

“The choice before Nigerians is clear: Integrity or Opportunism. The Truth or Political Acrobatics. Choose wisely.”

In a quick, snappy and witty summarised version, Mohammed’s rebuttal to Har reads: “It’s both amusing and tragic to watch Har twist himself into knots, desperately trying to deflect from real issues with cheap personal attacks. But let’s set the record straight, shall we?

“Salihu Garba vs. Nuhu Ribadu: Who Stands for Integrity?

“While Salihu Garba was busy building systems that saved NNPC millions of dollars, Ribadu was busy building his CV as Nigeria’s greatest political wanderer —from ACN’s presidential candidate (2011)** to PDP’s handpicked governorship hopeful (2015) to APC’s **vote-buying primary election loser (2023).

“Salihu exposed corruption in NNPC’s failed SAP ERP project and stood his ground, even when it cost him a special promotion. Ribadu, on the other hand, rose to power as an anti-corruption czar, only to later be caught buying delegates at N500,000 each, losing to a woman who upped the ante to N1 million per vote.

“Now, who has political morality, and who is just a power-hungry opportunist?

“Har, Bring Facts, Not Barking

“It’s public knowledge that Salihu Garba’s contributions are verifiable through NNPC records, media interviews, and published reports. News outlets like Liberty Radio & TV, Gotel News, and other media channels have covered his work. If Har had done even basic research instead of copying from his paymasters’ script, he’d know that.

“But instead of countering Salihu’s arguments with facts, Har resorts to diversion, distraction, and disgraceful falsehoods.

political debates are won with superior facts, not empty noise

“Har, let’s educate you a little: political debates are won with superior facts, not empty noise. If you disagree with Salihu, challenge his points with facts. But we both know you can’t—because the truth is not on your side.

“Ribadu’s Career: From “Anti-Corruption” to Power Opportunist

“Har conveniently ignores the embarrassing history of his master, Nuhu Ribadu:

1. 2011– Ribadu ran for president under ACN, claiming to be a man of integrity. He lost.

2. 2015 – Ribadu shamelessly jumped to PDP for a governorship ticket, promised by Goodluck Jonathan. He lost.

3. 2023– Ribadu contested APC primaries, spending millions on delegate votes. He lost.

At this rate, should we expect Ribadu to contest as a local government chairman next?

Meanwhile, Salihu Garba refused to bribe his way into APC primaries, choosing instead to use his resources to empower Adamawa’s youth with IT and solar training (video clips of all these are available online). In response, the people appreciated him by offering him a ticket under ANP to contest the Adamawa Central Senatorial seat.

Again, who serves the people, and who serves himself?

Final Warning to Har: Stop the Lies, Debate with Facts

Har, your principal is a political chameleon, and everyone knows it. If you want to argue, argue with facts—not childish distractions.

We challenge you: Refute Salihu Garba’s NNPC records of excellence. Disprove his media interviews. Prove he is wrong on the issues.

“If you can’t, then stop wasting people’s time with your baseless noise. Nigerians are tired of corruption and political deception.

“We are watching, and history will judge.” Mohammed concluded.