In the political forest of Adamawa State, one tree towers above the rest; unshaken by storms, unbowed by winds, and deeply rooted in loyalty, unity, and strategic vision.
That tree is Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the undisputed Iroko of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State.
Mr. Tom Garba, publisher of TGNews and a respected voice in northern journalism, has declared Ribadu not just a leader, but a one-man riot squad; a silent force orchestrating the resurgence of the APC in a state long fractured by internal rivalries and electoral setbacks.
“Nuhu Ribadu is the pillar, the Iroko tree of Adamawa APC that stands tall,” Garba wrote in a widely circulated tribute. “He is the reason the party is gaining momentum, the unicorn strength to conquer its fears and daunting challenges. Behind the scenes, this man is rebuilding, reconciling, and repositioning the APC for victory in 2027.”
Garba’s praise is not mere rhetoric. Since Ribadu’s appointment as NSA in June 2023, the APC in Adamawa has transformed from a house divided into a fortress of cohesion.
Former warring factions now sit at the same table. Grassroots mobilizers once scattered by defeat are now energized by hope. And the party’s electoral machinery, dormant for years is being oiled with precision and purpose.
Aminu Bobboi, a veteran APC grassroots mobilizer and staunch follower of the NSA, echoed Garba’s sentiment with fervor.
“Ribadu is the reason Adamawa APC stands united,” Bobboi told TGNews in an exclusive interview. “He is a man of wisdom, a unifier with the spirit of brotherhood. He brought everybody together; from Yola North to Mubi South, from the elders to the youth, under one umbrella. No noise, no drama, just results.”
Bobboi pointed to recent ward congresses and stakeholder meetings where Ribadu’s influence was unmistakable.
“Even when he’s in Abuja fighting bandits and terrorists, his presence is felt here. One phone call from Mallam Nuhu, and crises dissolve. That’s power. That’s leadership.”
Political observers note that Ribadu’s national role has not diminished his grip on Adamawa politics, it has amplified it.
His success in coordinating security operations across the North-East has bolstered his credibility as a problem-solver, a trait now being deployed to heal APC’s internal wounds.
“While others shout on television, Ribadu works in silence,” Garba continued. “He doesn’t need the microphone to lead. His actions speak, and the party listens.”
With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, insiders whisper that Adamawa APC, under Ribadu’s shadow leadership, is quietly positioning itself as the party with the possible winning chances.
Reconciliation efforts with aggrieved members, youth empowerment programs, and strategic alliances with traditional rulers are all part of a master plan reportedly midwifed by the NSA.
“Nuhu Ribadu is not just securing Nigeria,” one APC chieftain said on condition of anonymity. “He is securing the future of APC in Adamawa. Mark my words; 2027 will be a harvest.”
As Nigeria battles insecurity on multiple fronts, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu remains a dual-force: the nation’s sentinel by day, and Adamawa APC’s unbreakable Iroko by night.
Mal Nuhu Ribadu: The Unyielding APC Guardian, Nigeria’s Security Maestro, writes Tom Garba
