Political analyst Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed has reiterated her claim that National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, once labeled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s most corrupt politician. In an interview aired on Premier Radio and monitored by our correspondent on Wednesday, Naja’atu maintained that Ribadu, during his tenure as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had allegedly described Tinubu as the most corrupt governor at the time.
However, Ribadu has strongly denied these allegations, insisting that he never made such statements publicly or privately against President Tinubu. In response, the NSA, through his legal counsel, Dr. Ahmed Raji, SAN, issued a 7-day ultimatum demanding a public apology and retraction of the comments, which have gone viral on social media.
According to Ribadu, the allegations were particularly damaging due to a widely circulated TikTok video in which Naja’atu allegedly accused him of now serving in the administration of a president he once condemned. A letter dated February 4, 2025, and signed by Dr. Raji, stated that Naja’atu falsely claimed Ribadu had ranked Tinubu, Senator George Akume, and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as the top three most corrupt governors in Nigeria.
The NSA’s legal team further dismissed the allegations, emphasizing that Ribadu never held such views about Tinubu or the other politicians mentioned. They described the claims as baseless and damaging, adding that the NSA was taken aback by the viral publication. With the 7-day deadline in place, all eyes are now on Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed to see whether she will retract her statements or face potential legal action from Ribadu.
