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By Myke Agunwa, Abuja
Muhammed Babangida, son of former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, popularly called IBB has dismissed rumours that he declined an offer extended to him by President Bola Tinubu to serve as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA).
The junior Banagida in a press statement released on Monday, described as false and malicious the reports circulating online suggesting that he had rejected the appointment. He described such claims as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and tarnish the image of the Tinubu administration.
“We wish to clarify that Muhammed gratefully accepts the appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture, as announced by the federal government, and extends his sincere appreciation to President Tinubu for the trust and confidence bestowed upon him,” the statement read in part.
It further assured the public that those behind the fake reports would be identified and held accountable.
“We also want to assure the public that those spreading these falsehoods will be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice. We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and fostering unity within our nation,” it added.
The statement concluded with a call for Nigerians to remain discerning and to verify information from credible sources.
Muhammed Babangida’s appointment announced on Friday in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, was among several strategic appointments approved by Tinubu to strengthen leadership across key government institutions.
Muhammad is an alumnus of the European University in Montreux, Switzerland, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Public Relations and Business Communication.
He later attended Harvard Business School’s executive program on corporate governance in 2002.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) had accused President Tinubu of attempting to regain the trust of the Northern Nigerians with token appointments.
In a statement signed by its acting National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, over the weekend, the coalition party criticised the President’s latest appointments of northerners, saying the move smacks of “political panic management,” rather than sincere efforts at national inclusion.
ADC described the move as a desperate attempt to placate the people of the region, whom the current government had neglected since assuming office.