Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has addressed the recent social media uproar over his recent meeting with Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State during a visit to the Government House, Kano.

A viral video circulating on social media showed Musa bowing to greet the governor and intentionally avoiding handshake, sparking speculation, and debate among netizens.

But, in a statement released on Tuesday on his X handle (formerly Twitter), the striker clarified that his gesture was rooted in cultural respect for elders rather than any form of disrespect towards Governor Yusuf.

He emphasised that in Northern Nigerian culture, actions such as kneeling and bowing signify the highest form of respect.

“It has come to my attention that a moment captured almost a month ago has unexpectedly become the center of attention on social media. It’s disheartening to see a simple act of cultural respect blown out of proportion,” the soccer international said.

The football star further explained that “When it came to greeting the Governor, I chose to bow and not shake his hands, honouring him in a way that is deeply rooted in tradition.”

Expressing disappointment over the diversion of focus from pressing national issues, Musa criticised the sensationalism of the incident by both social media users and some media outlets.

“What’s even more disheartening are the comments questioning my respectfulness, especially from those who don’t know me personally. Let’s pause for a moment and reflect on where we choose to direct our energy. Shouldn’t it be towards finding solutions to the problems plaguing our society rather than getting caught up in needless distractions?

“I urge us all to channel our collective efforts towards addressing the real issues at hand. Let’s focus on uplifting one another, fostering unity, and working towards a better future for all. And with this, I rest my case,” Ahmed Musa declared.