Human rights campaigner and President of the Global Peace Movement International, Dr Mike Uyi, has thrown his weight behind the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, insisting that no amount of threat, intimidation or blackmail will derail what he described as the minister’s purposeful leadership of Nigeria’s defence architecture.

Uyi’s position comes against the backdrop of a fresh legal dispute between Musa and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who has demanded N10 billion in compensation and a public apology over alleged defamatory statements made by the Defence Minister during a Channels Television programme.

El-Rufai’s lawyers, Chambers of Ubong Akpan, in a letter before action dated September 7, 2026, demanded a public retraction and apology from Musa, as well as N10 billion compensation for what they described as damage to their client’s reputation. The lawyers gave the minister seven days to respond or face possible legal action.

Reacting to the development, however, Dr Uyi said the controversy should not be allowed to distract General Musa from the enormous responsibility of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.

He described Musa as a professional soldier whose years of service and experience in the Nigerian security architecture have positioned him to understand the complexities surrounding the country’s fight against terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity.

According to him, the Defence Minister’s efforts at strengthening Nigeria’s security response and restoring public confidence in the nation’s armed forces deserve recognition rather than attempts to distract him from his responsibilities.

Uyi said the impact of Musa’s leadership was becoming increasingly visible, particularly in the coordination of security operations and the renewed determination of the armed forces to confront criminal elements across the country.

He maintained that the Defence Minister should be allowed to discharge his constitutional and official responsibilities without being subjected to unnecessary pressure whenever his comments or assessment of national security issues generate controversy.

The human rights campaigner also urged Nigerians to distinguish between legitimate criticism and what he described as attempts to intimidate public officials through threats of litigation.

He said the existence of a legal threat should not automatically be interpreted as proof that the allegations made by the Defence Minister were false, stressing that the appropriate place to determine disputed claims was through evidence and due process.

Uyi further appealed to Nigerians and civil society organisations to support security institutions in their efforts to tackle insecurity, rather than allowing political disagreements to undermine the morale of personnel working to protect the country.

He said General Musa’s position as Defence Minister carries enormous responsibility and that disagreements surrounding statements made in the course of public discourse should not be allowed to overshadow the broader national security agenda.

The Global Peace Movement President also called on political actors and their supporters to exercise restraint, warning that heightened political rhetoric could deepen divisions at a time when the country requires greater unity in confronting security challenges.

He insisted that the fight against terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities should remain a collective national responsibility, adding that security personnel need the confidence and cooperation of Nigerians to effectively perform their duties.

Uyi said the Global Peace Movement International would continue to support individuals and institutions genuinely committed to protecting human rights, strengthening national security and promoting peace and stability.

He maintained that “no amount of threat and blackmail” would stop the group from speaking out in defence of what it considers to be purposeful leadership and actions in the national interest.