Former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has said that the battle for the defence of freedom in Nigeria has been sparked, following a seven-day ultimatum issued to social activist and politician, Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed, by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Muhammad, has reaffirmed her stance on a past statement made by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In an interview with Premier Radio in Kano, Najaatu stated that she stands by her remarks about Ribadu’s previous comments, in which he allegedly labeled Tinubu as the “most corrupt governor” during his tenure as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
She emphasised that Ribadu’s statement is publicly available on social media and YouTube, making it accessible to anyone interested in verifying it.
The ultimatum came after Mohammed posted a TikTok video alleging that President Bola Tinubu had once been called corrupt by Dalung.
Dalung, who made this declaration after visiting detained former National Health Insurance Scheme boss, Prof. Yusuf Usman, at the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja, voiced strong concerns about the state of governance under President Tinubu’s administration.
Usman had accused the government of exhibiting traits of a “civilian dictatorship.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission last Wednesday stormed the Abuja home of a former Executive Secretary of the NHIS, Yusuf, and arrested him for alleged N4 billion fraud, amongst others.
It was gathered that EFCC operatives arrested the professor of haematology-oncology and bone marrow transplantation in his house following an ongoing investigation into an allegation that he inflated ICT budget from N4.975 billion to N8.7 billion and approved payments beyond his approval limit.
Sources familiar with the development revealed that EFCC is investigating Yusuf for awarding contracts to family members.
“He awarded contracts to Lubekh Nigeria Limited, a company where his nephew Khalifa Hassan Yusufu is a director,” a top EFCC source revealed.
The former NHIS boss is also being probed for abuse of office for allegedly “using his position for personal gains, including approving contracts without due process and awarding contracts to companies without competence.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday, Dalung detailed his visit to Prof. Usman, who is facing corruption charges after being arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Despite being remanded in the custodial facility, Dalung described Usman as being in “good health and high spirits.” He emphasized that Usman’s concern for the country’s situation was even greater than his own detention.
Dalung also expressed his commitment to the ongoing struggle for good governance in Nigeria.
He criticised the government’s growing crackdown on dissenting voices and declared that no amount of intimidation would deter the movement.
Referring to Ribadu’s threats to Mohammed, Dalung called on Nigerians to unite in the defense of freedom and to continue their activism for justice.
“We must rally around the #freeprofusman struggle,” Dalung wrote, urging Nigerians to attend all court sessions related to Usman’s case. He also warned that if justice is denied, protests would return to the streets.
Dalung concluded by asserting that the struggle for a better Nigeria would not be easily swayed, stating, “Every struggle has a price, and a new Nigeria is attainable.”
