Defence Minister Speaks on Alleged Resignation After Meeting With Tinubu
Defence Minister Christopher Musa has dismissed rumours claiming that he resigned from the administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing the report as false and malicious.
Speaking on Tuesday evening after a meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Minister of Defence said he was surprised by the claim and insisted that he remains fully committed to his duties.
The minister also threatened legal action against those behind the report, stating that efforts would be made to identify the source of the false information.
His comments came days after reports circulated on social media alleging that he had stepped down from his position, sparking reactions and speculation in political circles.
Addressing journalists shortly after briefing the President on the country’s security situation, Musa said there was no truth whatsoever in the resignation story.
“I was shocked when I heard and saw that. I don’t know where that came from. But expect that there’ll be people that will not be happy when things are going on well.
“Security situation has improved, things are getting better. And so for them, it’s a sad point, and they will always want to make it look as if it’s not so.
“I’m not going anywhere. I have never discussed that with anybody. I don’t even know the person who brought that information. But whoever he is, we will take a legal action against him when we get him to come and who gave him such information.”
The Defence Minister said his meeting with President Tinubu focused on the latest security developments across the country.
According to him, the President expressed satisfaction with the efforts being made by security agencies and the progress recorded in tackling insecurity.
“But I assure Nigerians that we are free. You can see I just came back from briefing the President on the current security situation, and he’s very happy with us.
“And now we’re going to continue doing well, and I want to seize this opportunity to appreciate Nigerians for all the support. The support has been massive, and you can see the changes.
“That’s where we say that to defeat terrorists and bandits is a whole of societal approach. And now Nigerians are keying into it, and things are getting better, and they will continue to improve,” he said.
Moreover, the reaction of the Defence Minister signifies the strongest response yet to the reports suggesting he had resigned from office.
In a related development, POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported that the Ministry of Defence had officially denied reports claiming that the minister had resigned or was planning to leave President Tinubu’s cabinet.
In a statement issued through his Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the ministry described the reports as false, misleading and intended to create unnecessary confusion among Nigerians.
“We wish to state unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms that these rumours are absolute falsehoods borne out of complete mischief,” she said.
The ministry stated that Musa remains fully in office and continues to oversee the country’s defence strategy and military operations. It added that he remains committed to supporting efforts aimed at addressing security challenges across the federation.
According to the statement, the minister has continued to work closely with military authorities and other security agencies in implementing the security objectives of the Federal Government.
The ministry further warned against the spread of unverified information on social media, stressing that false reports have the potential to mislead the public and undermine ongoing national efforts.
It also urged journalists, bloggers and social media users to verify information through official channels before publishing or sharing reports relating to national security and government officials.
