Badaru Dismisses Kwankwaso Meeting Claims as Misleading

Former Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, has denied holding a secret meeting with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), clarifying that the viral image circulating online is outdated and misleading.

Naija News reports that the clarification was made in a statement issued on Saturday by the Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the former minister, Mati Ali.

The denial follows the circulation of a photograph on social media purportedly showing Badaru and Kwankwaso in a closed‑door encounter at the VIP Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Addressing the speculation, Badaru’s camp said the image was taken on February 18, 2023, when the two leaders coincidentally met at the airport.

He said, “We wish to draw the attention of the general public to a photograph currently circulating on social media platforms, which falsely suggests that the former Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, held a meeting with the National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and 2023 presidential candidate, His Excellency, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at the VIP Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.”

The statement also clarified that Badaru has been overseas for the past month and has not returned to Nigeria, further debunking claims that he was recently in the country for political talks.

“We also wish to inform the general public that the former minister has been overseas for the past month and has not returned to Nigeria,” the statement added.

Badaru’s media aide urged citizens and social media users to be cautious and reject the recirculation of outdated content designed to mislead the public.

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