Allegations Against Ribadu Targeted At Tinubu, Says Northern Group

A group, Northern Alternative Forum (NAF) has condemned allegations that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, is coordinating ransom payments and negotiating with bandits.

In a statement issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja, NAF national chairman, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, called on the relevant security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS), to investigate the allegations.

He insisted that those making such claims must present concrete evidence.

The group warned against what it described as a smear campaign against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the NSA, noting that it has become a recurring tactic by the opposition to discredit any administration making genuine efforts to improve the country’s economic situation.

“These claims are not only preposterous, lousy, and unfounded, but also part of a pattern aimed at undermining the current administration. Now that the nation’s economy is recovering due to the ongoing reforms of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, the opposition feels threatened by selfish political interests ahead of the 2027 elections,” the statement read.

Ibrahim urged Nigerians to disregard what he called the “tantrums” of opposition leaders and instead focus on the progress being made in addressing security challenges and promoting national development.

“The NSA, under Ribadu’s leadership, has achieved significant successes in securing the nation, and his efforts deserve both recognition and support,” he stated, insisting that the campaign of calumny against the Tinubu administration is driven by a desire to create confusion and destabilise the government.

“We must dismiss these baseless claims and focus on progress toward a better future. These unfounded allegations are aimed at distracting Nigerians from the government’s achievements and creating unnecessary tension.

“Coming from those who were once in the corridors of power – either as ministers, governors, or heads of agencies—these claims reflect ‘Bureauphobia’ (a morbid fear of the government) and the desperate attempts of opposition elements to return to power and resume another round of looting,” he said.

The group described the allegations as a backlash from individuals who have failed to meet the integrity standards of the Tinubu-led administration.

Ibrahim said many opposition leaders have been part of the political elite since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999. Yet, their time in office was marked by poor decision-making and tribal sentiments.

“Some of these so-called opposition leaders had the opportunity to lay the foundation for Nigeria’s industrialisation by attracting competent investors. Instead, they allowed primitive sentiments to cloud their judgment. The sugar and textile industries were the worst affected by their misguided choices,” he said.

“These are the same politicians who sold off Nigeria’s sugar industry. Today, a cup of sugar is no longer affordable. Funds were allocated to revive the textile, cement, and power sectors—including NITEL -but no one can account for them. Rather than making noise, they should visit their communities and see how President Tinubu is working to improve lives. Let them name even one person they have positively impacted-none, including their paid attack dogs,” he added.