Security Shake-Up As Tinubu’s Defence Minister Badaru Resigns

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has formally resigned from office, citing health reasons as the basis for his exit from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.

The development was confirmed on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the president had accepted the resignation.

According to Onanuga, the minister’s resignation was conveyed in a letter addressed to President Tinubu and dated December 1.

He said Badaru stated clearly in the letter that he was stepping down on “health grounds.”

The Presidential aide added: “President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and thanked Alhaji Badaru Abubakar for his services to the nation.”

With the Defence Ministry now vacant, the President is expected to formally notify the Senate of Badaru’s replacement later this week.

Badaru, aged 63, previously served as governor of Jigawa State between 2015 and 2023 before his appointment as Defence Minister on August 21, 2023.

His exit comes at a period when President Tinubu has declared a national security emergency, promising to unveil detailed measures to address worsening insecurity across the country.

Nigeria has been battling a surge in violent crimes, including abductions, killings and terrorist attacks across several regions.

Onanuga also confirmed that President Tinubu recently met with Christopher Musa, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff.
It is, however, unclear whether the meeting is related to the now-vacant ministerial position.