Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), has dismissed reports claiming he resigned from office, describing the rumours as false and malicious while warning that those responsible could face legal action.
Speaking to State House correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Musa said he had neither discussed nor contemplated stepping down from his position.
“I am not going anywhere. I have never discussed this. I don’t even know who the person is that brought that information. But whoever it is, we will take legal action against them,” the minister said. (Vanguard News)
He attributed the reports to individuals unhappy with the government’s progress in tackling Nigeria’s security challenges, insisting that he remains fully committed to his responsibilities.
The minister’s remarks followed the circulation of claims on social media suggesting he had resigned or was preparing to leave President Tinubu’s cabinet. The reports quickly gained traction online before being publicly denied by the Ministry of Defence. (Politics Nigeria)
A day earlier, the Office of the Minister issued a formal disclaimer describing the resignation reports as “malicious” and “entirely fabricated.”
In the statement, signed by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the ministry said Musa remains “fully focused on his national security mandate” and is committed to implementing the Federal Government’s defence strategy.
The statement urged Nigerians and media organisations to disregard the rumours and verify information through official channels before publication. (Federal Ministry of Info)
The Presidency also moved to dispel speculation after Musa’s meeting with President Tinubu, with the minister’s public appearance alongside his remarks serving as confirmation that he remains in office and continues to discharge his duties. (Channels Television)
Musa did not indicate who may have originated the reports but stressed that his legal team would pursue those responsible for spreading what he described as false information.
The episode comes as the government continues to confront multiple security threats, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and communal violence in parts of the Middle Belt. Officials warned that the spread of misinformation concerning senior security officials could undermine public confidence and distract from ongoing efforts to address the country’s security challenges. (Federal Ministry of Info)
