Kano-based politician Naja’atu Mohammed has challenged National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu to sue her if he wishes, declaring her readiness to meet him in court.
Mohammed’s defiant stance follows Ribadu’s demand for a public apology and retraction over a TikTok video she posted, which he described as malicious.
In the video, Mohammed accused Ribadu of serving in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government despite previously criticising him as “the most corrupt politician” during his tenure as Lagos State Governor. Ribadu, through his lawyer Dr Ahmed Raji (SAN), issued a seven-day ultimatum for an apology, denying he ever made such statements publicly or privately.
However, in a widely circulated interview with a Hausa online platform, Mohammed dismissed Ribadu’s ultimatum, asserting she would not retract her comments. “What did I do to him that I need to apologise? 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,” she said.
Mohammed claimed her remarks were based on Ribadu’s past statements. “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.”
She further criticised Ribadu’s current position, questioning his loyalty to President Tinubu. “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. I have not retracted, and I will not retract. Let him take me to court. Let’s meet in court,” she said.
Mohammed also argued that Ribadu’s previous comments remained relevant despite the passage of time. “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. 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. I stand by what I said. Just because he made the comment in the past doesn’t mean we should forget it. What has changed?” she queried.
