Former Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, has responded to reports alleging that he held a closed-door meeting with the National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mati Ali, Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the former minister, issued to newsmen on Saturday.
The former minister’s response follows a viral photograph purportedly showing him and NNPP leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso after a closed-door meeting.
According to the statement, “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 New Nigeria Peoples Party and 2023 presidential candidate, His Excellency, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at the VIP Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.”
The statement clarified that the photograph in question is outdated.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.
“We also wish to inform the general public that the former minister has been overseas for the past month and has not returned to Nigeria,” the statement added.
It further advised the public and social media users to disregard the post and remain vigilant against the recirculation of outdated content intended to create a false or misleading narrative.