The Miniser of Defence, Aliyu Gusau on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 resigned from office, according to reports.
Gusau’s resignation comes barely a week old after his appointment on March 5, 2014 by President Goodluck Jonathan.
According to Sahara Reporters, The top echelon of the Nigerian military yesterday refused to have a joint meeting with the new Minister of Defense Aliyu Gusau and his deputy Musikilu Obanikoro, a situation that triggered the resignation by Mr. Gusau, himself a retired army general.
Upon his appointment, it was rumoured that the retired general accepted to serve in President Jonathan’s cabinet under the condition that the nation’s service chiefs and other security heads would be placed under his supervision.
Gusau is from Zamfara state and is a former National Security Adviser.
Update:
The minister of defence, Aliyu Gusau, has debunked rumours of his resignation as reported by Sahara reporters earlier today.
BBC Hausa reported that the minister confirmed to them that news of his resignation are all false.
The rumour may have begun as a result of Gusau’s absence at the Federal Executive Council meeting which held today, March 12, 2014.
The Presidency residency has debunked the report, saying that the minister did not resign, but only missed the meeting because he was down with flu.
The special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Reuben Abati, has also described the rumoured resignation as “false.”
Abati said: “It is not true that he has resigned.”
