By Ahmed Rufa’i
Former Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has debunked reports alleging that he recently met with a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Badaru described the reports, which gained traction on social media, as unfounded and misleading, stressing that he remains a committed and loyal member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s leadership.
The clarification was contained in a press statement issued and signed by his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Comrade Mati Ali, and made available to the TRUTHS FINDER in Dutse, Jigawa state capital.
According to the statement, the photograph circulating online, which purportedly suggested a recent meeting between the former minister and the NNPP leader, was an old image taken on February 18, 2023.
Comrade Mati Ali explained that the photograph was taken when both leaders coincidentally encountered each other at the VIP Wing of an airport, and not as a result of any planned or political meeting.
“We wish to draw the attention of the general public to a photograph currently circulating on social media platforms, which falsely suggests that the former Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, held a meeting with the National Leader of the NNPP, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,” the statement said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the photograph in question is outdated. It was taken on February 18, 2023, when the two leaders coincidentally met at the VIP Wing of the airport,” it added.
The statement further disclosed that Badaru has been out of the country for over a month and has not returned to Nigeria, thereby making the alleged recent meeting impossible.
The former minister urged members of the public to disregard the misleading report and cautioned social media users against the recirculation of outdated materials intended to create false narratives.
He reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and reiterated his firm support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and its policy direction.
