‘I won’t apologise to you’ — Naja’atu Muhammad dares Ribadu

Naja’atu Muhammad, the founder of Northern Star Youth Initiative, says she would not retract her statement or issue an apology to Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA).

In a video posted on social media, Muhammad said she stands by her earlier comments that Ribadu once reprimanded President Bola Tinubu; George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF); and Orji Kalu, senator representing Abia north.

Recently, Muhammad said during his stint as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ribadu accused Tinubu, who was governor of Lagos at the time, of corruption.

Muhammad, a former commissioner in the Police Service Commission (PSC), said Ribadu is now serving in a government led by people he once upbraided.

On Tuesday, the NSA, through a letter from Ahmed Raji, his lawyer, requested a public apology and retraction from Muhammad over the remarks.

Nasir el-Rufai, a former minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), contributed to the war of words by saying he was present at the federal executive council (FEC) meeting in 2016 when Ribadu accused Tinubu and others of graft.

‘MY WORDS ACCURATELY REFLECT MY VIEWS’

In the video, the former PSC commissioner said she would not be intimidated by Ribadu.

Muhammad urged Ribadu to approach the court as he has threatened to do.

“There is no retreat, no surrender, and no apology to Nuhu Ribadu,” she said.

“I’m speaking in response to the recent threat and intimidation by Ribadu using his attack dogs and lawyer, Ahmed Raji.

“Regarding my statement that the chairman of EFCC had publicly accused the then governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu of being ‘a corrupt government official who will not escape justice’.

“While I acknowledge that Nuhu Ribadu might have forgotten or chosen to retract his comments for the past, I stand by my statement and do not believe an apology is warranted. Apology to whom exactly?

“My words accurately reflect my views on the matter based on what is already in the public domain. I don’t believe that an apology or retraction is necessary. I would not compromise my position to appease Ribadu and his attack dogs.”