General Aliyu Gusau (rtd)
Nigeria’s new Defence Minister, General Aliyu Gusau (retd) has denied reports that he had resigned from the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Gusau denied the report in a brief interview he granted the Hausa service of British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC this afternoon.
Earlier reports online had indicated that Gusau, a former Nigerian Chief of Army Staff and National Security Adviser who was sworn in last Wednesday as Defense Minister resigned due to what he considered act of insurbodination by the military chiefs.
The report had indicated that the three Nigeria military chiefs- the Chiefs of Army, Air force and Naval Staff refused to honour a meeting with the minister yesterday. According to the report, only Air chief Marshall Alex Badeh, the Chief of Defence Staff showed up for the meeting.
The CDS allegedly defended the absence of the three service chiefs as he told the Minister that there was no need for him to meet with them.
Gusau, according to the reports had in anger asked the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to inform the President that he is quitting.
The presidency also debunked the report. A short statement by Dr. Reuben Abati, the president’s spokesman said Gusau remains in Office as Minister of Defence.
“His absence from today’s meeting of the Federal Executive Council which was cited in support of the false report of his resignation was with the permission of President Goodluck Jonathan.”