Mohammed Badaru, former minister of defence, says a viral publication alleging he resigned over military operations is “entirely false”.
Badaru announced his resignation in a letter dated December 1 and sent to President Bola Tinubu, citing health reasons.
In a statement on Wednesday, Badaru said his attention was drawn to an online post claiming he resigned because he “cannot stand and watch the US and Tinubu government bombing our brothers in the forest”.
He said the claim was invented to smear his name, adding that the authors of the post intended to drive a wedge between him and Tinubu.
“My attention has been drawn to a malicious, false and baseless publication circulating online, alleging that I stated I resigned as minister of defence because I ‘cannot stand and watch the US and Tinubu government bombing our brothers in the forest’,” he said.
“I wish to state categorically and unequivocally that this publication is entirely false, deliberately mischievous, and did not originate from me or from any authorised representative acting on my behalf.
“The intent behind this fabrication is clear: to tarnish my hard-earned reputation, sow discord between me and the Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and create needless distractions from the important work of governance.”
