Defence Minister Musa Denies Resignation Rumours, Threatens Legal Action After Meeting Tinubu

Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has dismissed reports claiming he had resigned from office, describing them as false and malicious, while vowing to take legal action against those responsible for spreading the rumours.

Musa made the remarks after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he said he briefed the President on the country’s security situation.

The minister, who arrived at the Villa at about 3 p.m. and left shortly after 4 p.m., said he was shocked by the reports suggesting he had resigned and insisted there had never been any discussion about his leaving office.

“I am not going anywhere. I have never discussed this. I don’t even know who the person is that brought that information. But whoever it is, we will take legal action against them,” Musa told journalists.

He said those behind the reports would be identified and made to account for the false claims.

“Whoever it is, we will take legal action against them. I am sure we will get them. He will come and explain who gave him such information,” he added.

The Defence Minister alleged that the rumours were deliberately orchestrated by individuals seeking to undermine the progress being recorded in Nigeria’s security sector.

“We are surprised. I was shocked when I saw that. I don’t know where that came from. But you always expect that there will be people who will not be happy when things are going well. Security is improving, things are getting better, and for them, that is a sad point. They always want to make it look as if it is not so,” he said.

Clarifying the purpose of his meeting with President Tinubu, Musa said it was a routine security briefing during which the President expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

“I just came back from briefing Mr President on the current security situation, and he is very happy with us. We are going to continue doing well,” he said.

The minister also commended Nigerians for supporting ongoing military operations against terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality, stressing that security remains a collective responsibility.

“I want to seize this opportunity to appreciate Nigerians for all the support.

“The support has been massive. To defeat the terrorists and the bandits requires a whole-of-society approach. Nigerians have keyed into it, and things are getting better, and they will continue to improve,” Musa stated.

The resignation rumours surfaced on Tuesday and quickly circulated across social media, sparking speculation about the minister’s future in the Federal Executive Council. However, Musa’s appearance at the Presidential Villa and his emphatic denial appear to have laid the speculation to rest.

General Musa, a former Chief of Defence Staff, was appointed Minister of Defence by President Tinubu on December 2, 2025, after serving as Nigeria’s military chief from July 2023.