In a bold and unyielding response to the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, Kano-based politician Naja’atu Mohammed has refused to apologize for comments she made about Ribadu’s alleged past criticisms of President Bola Tinubu. Instead, she challenged Ribadu to take her to court, asserting that she stands by her statements and is ready to defend them in the highest court in Nigeria.
The TikTok Controversy: A Heated Clash of Words
The controversy erupted following a TikTok video posted by Mohammed, in which she accused Nuhu Ribadu of hypocrisy for serving in President Bola Tinubu’s administration despite previously labeling him as “the most corrupt politician” during Tinubu’s time as Governor of Lagos State.
Ribadu, through his lawyer Dr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), demanded that Mohammed issue a public apology and retract her remarks. He insisted that the accusations were baseless and falsely attributed comments to him that he never made, either publicly or privately. The lawyer also gave Mohammed a seven-day ultimatum to comply with the demand or face legal action.
Naja’atu Mohammed’s Defiant Stand
Unperturbed by the ultimatum, Mohammed responded in an interview with a Hausa online platform, where she expressed her readiness to face Ribadu in court. In her words:
“What did I do to him that I need to apologize? Have you ever seen where someone tells the truth and then retract their comment? I stand by all I said. I’m begging Nuhu Ribadu, by God, to take me to the highest court in Nigeria. Is it not Tinubu’s court? Let him take me there. I stand by my words.”
Refusing to Retract: The Basis for Mohammed’s Claims
Mohammed insisted that her comments were grounded in Ribadu’s own past statements. She argued that she was only repeating what Ribadu had openly said in the past, particularly when he served as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to her, Ribadu had once publicly stated that Bola Tinubu was one of the most corrupt individuals in the country and had been the most corrupt governor in Nigeria. Mohammed even referenced a YouTube video where Ribadu made these remarks, urging Nigerians to search for the footage as evidence.
“What I said was what Nuhu Ribadu himself said, and the comment is still on YouTube. Let those interested search for it. Nuhu Ribadu said with his own mouth when he was EFCC Chairman that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was among the most corrupt individuals. He also said that among the governors in Nigeria, Tinubu led in corruption. The comment is still there on YouTube. Therefore, I will not retract my statement because I only repeated what he once said,” Mohammed emphasized.
Criticism of Ribadu’s Loyalty and Current Role
In addition to defending her remarks, Mohammed also questioned Ribadu’s current position and his loyalty to President Tinubu. She criticized him for his alleged shift in allegiance, suggesting that Ribadu had abandoned his previous stance against Tinubu in favor of currying favor to remain in office.
“What is the lie here? That he is now prostrating for Tinubu? What is he doing as NSA? He is doing nothing other than instigating Tinubu just to remain in office,” she said. Mohammed further declared that she had no intention of retracting her comments, asserting, “I have not retracted, and I will not retract. Let him take me to court. Let’s meet in court.”
The Relevance of Past Statements
Mohammed strongly argued that Ribadu’s previous statements regarding Tinubu’s alleged corruption should not be dismissed merely because they were made years ago. For her, the passage of time does not invalidate the truth of the claims, and she believes they remain relevant to the ongoing political climate.
“Just because the statement was made years back doesn’t mean it should be forgotten. There’s no difference between then and now. Has he retracted his comment against Tinubu? That’s what we want to know,” she said. “Did he lie against Tinubu when he mentioned Tinubu, Akume, and Orji Kalu? He should be the one to come out and tell Nigerians whether he lied against them.”
A Public Clash Over Political Allegiances
This confrontation has sparked significant attention on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn, where political analysts, supporters, and detractors alike have engaged in heated debates. Many are questioning the credibility of political leaders who switch sides and whether they can truly be trusted.
For some, the exchange highlights the perils of political loyalty in Nigeria’s volatile political landscape. Others, however, see it as a personal vendetta driven by Mohammed’s ongoing struggle against the entrenched political establishment.
As tensions mount, the issue is far from resolved, and the prospect of legal action looms large, with Nuhu Ribadu and Naja’atu Mohammed standing at the center of this bitter political dispute.
Will the two meet in court as Mohammed has challenged? Only time will tell, but the political stakes are high, and the fallout could have far-reaching consequences for Nigerian politics.
