A dramatic twist has emerged over the appointment of Muhammed Babangida, son of former military president General Ibrahim Babangida, as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), with conflicting statements throwing the public into a state of confusion.
In what initially appeared to be a formal and respectful rejection, a letter purportedly signed by Muhammed Babangida and dated July 21, 2025, surfaced, indicating his decision to decline the appointment made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In the letter, Babangida expressed gratitude for the nomination, describing it as “a true privilege,” but stated that “after careful reflection and consultation,” he had decided to step aside due to personal and professional obligations.
He emphasized that he could not commit the required attention and energy the strategic role demands, while reaffirming his support for Tinubu’s government.
However, mere hours later, a counter-statement released by Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, claimed the rejection reports were “false and malicious.”
According to the rebuttal, Babangida “gratefully accepts” the appointment and was grateful to President Tinubu for the confidence shown in him.
The statement warned against fake news and vowed to track and prosecute those allegedly behind the misinformation campaign.
The contradictory developments have left the public, media analysts, and political observers puzzled, with speculation rife about internal political maneuvering, image management, or perhaps a deeper tug-of-war between private reluctance and public duty.
The Presidency has not issued an official clarification as at press time, further fueling debates over the authenticity of either statement.
With the Bank of Agriculture playing a key role in the Tinubu administration’s food security and rural empowerment agenda, the controversy could not have come at a more sensitive moment.
