Northern groups slam Naja’atu over attack on Ribadu
The Arewa Coalition for Justice and Good Governance (ACJGG) has dismissed criticisms from former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, and political activist, Naja’atu Muhammad on the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the coalition’s convener, Dr. Mohammed Jabir Adamu, described Ribadu’s appointment as a “perfect alignment of preparation meeting opportunity,” citing his extensive experience in security and public service.
“President Tinubu’s choice of Ribadu as NSA reflects his expertise, competence, and unadulterated commitment to Nigeria’s progress,” Adamu stated.
“It also underscores the President’s emphasis on professional excellence and expertise in governance.”
The ACJGG accused Naja’atu Muhammad of engaging in what it described as “baseless social media allegations” rather than constructive dialogue on national security.
The group argued that such criticisms were unproductive and urged her to focus her energy on meaningful contributions to national discourse.
“We find it disappointing that instead of engaging in a meaningful conversation on security matters, Naja’atu Muhammad has resorted to spreading unfounded claims. No amount of malicious social media campaigns will deter Ribadu from executing his mandate,” Adamu said.
The coalition also dismissed claims that Ribadu lacked Tinubu’s trust, recalling that the former anti-corruption chief had contested the 2011 presidential election under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), a party where Tinubu was a key figure.
“The trust and loyalty between them were not built today,” Adamu asserted, adding that any past disagreements had likely been resolved long before Ribadu’s appointment.
Beyond defending Ribadu, the ACJGG insisted on a legal demand for Naja’atu Muhammad to retract her statements and issue a public apology.
According to the group, protecting the integrity of the Office of the National Security Adviser was paramount.
“This office is too critical to our national security to be subjected to baseless attacks and political mudslinging,” Adamu stated.
Also, a Kano-based women group, Kanawa Women Forum for Development (KWFD), has slammed Hajiya Naja’atu Mohammad, for attacking Ribadu, in a recent TikTok video.
The group claimed that Naja’atu has no moral right to speak against Ribadu, who has worked to secure the north and its people from bandits and insurgents.
In a statement, the group’s leader, Hajiya Amina Musa Lawan, pointed out that Naja’atu’s past is marred by controversy, including her marriage to one of the men involved in the killing of her first husband, Dr. Bala Muhammad, a political adviser to late Kano Governor Rimi.
The statement also accused Naja’atu of befriending the wife of late dictator General Sani Abacha and benefiting financially from the regime.
According to the KWFD, Naja’atu’s history of controversy dates back to the 1980s, when her first husband, Dr. Bala Muhammad, was killed in Kano by members of a faction of his party.
Naja’atu subsequently married one of the men involved in her husband’s killing, a move that was widely criticized by many in Kano.
The group also alleged that Naja’atu has a history of blackmailing successive Kano state governors, including Shekarau, and attacking those who refuse to grant her favours. The KWFD’s statement claimed that Naja’atu brought a Chinese company to Governor Shekarau and demanded that billions of naira in contracts be awarded to her. When Shekarau declined, Naja’atu allegedly started a campaign against him and eventually left Kano.
Furthermore, the KWFD accused Naja’atu of praising President Buhari and seeking to be appointed as a minister by him. When Buhari refused and instead appointed her as the chairperson of the Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, Naja’atu allegedly started attacking him.
“We are giving her seven days to go back on the same TikTok and apologise for her comments,” Lawan said. “If she fails to do so, we will take further action to protect the integrity of our people.”
