Confusion continues to trail the reported appointment of Muhammed Babangida, son of former Nigerian military president Ibrahim Babangida, as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), following contradictory claims about whether he accepted or rejected the role offered by President Bola Tinubu.
Initial reports with a letter of rejection claimed that Babangida had declined the appointment, allegedly due to “personal and professional considerations.” A purported letter, widely circulated on social media and shared by media personality Dele Momodu, suggested that Babangida chose to reject the offer to avoid being distracted from existing commitments and was unwilling to be used in political maneuvers ahead of the 2027 elections.
These early accounts, amplified by various online platforms, painted Babangida’s decision as a principled stand and a potential rebuke of Tinubu’s political strategies. However, within hours, the narrative began to unravel.
However, counter-statements swiftly emerged from Babangida’s media team and allies close to the family. Deyemi Saka, Babangida’s media consultant, dismissed the rejection claims as “false and malicious,” insisting that the viral letter was a fabrication. Kassim Afegbua, a former spokesman for the Babangida family, also weighed in, describing the document as a “forged communication designed to mislead Nigerians and damage the image of the President.”
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According to these clarifications, Muhammed Babangida has not only accepted the appointment but has also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for entrusting him with such a significant responsibility. His team confirmed that he is prepared to bring his expertise and leadership to the Bank of Agriculture in line with the administration’s agricultural reform agenda.
The Presidency also weighed in, affirming that Babangida’s appointment stands and that investigations would be launched to identify those behind the disinformation campaign. Officials have hinted that legal action may be pursued against the individuals or groups responsible for what they described as an orchestrated attempt to mislead the public.
Despite the clarifications, the conflicting reports have left many Nigerians questioning the authenticity of political announcements in the digital age. The speed at which the false rejection letter spread across platforms highlights the dangers of misinformation and the critical need for fact-checking before dissemination.
As it stands, all credible sources now confirm that Muhammed Babangida has officially accepted the role of Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture, and efforts are underway to trace and prosecute those behind the fake news.
