The resignation of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar as Nigeria’s minister of defence is currently generating interest in both political and security circles in the country.
Badaru and his Minister of State counterpart, Mr. Bello Matawalle have been heavily criticised for not being helpful in the governments war against terrorism and insurgency in the country.
In statement issued on Monday by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the minister was said to have resigned on “health ground.”
According to the statement, “Nigeria’s defence minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned his appointment, with immediate effect.
“In a letter dated December 1, sent to President Bola Tinubu, Abubakar said he was quitting on health grounds.
“President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his services to the nation.
“President Tinubu will likely inform the Senate of Badaru’s successor later this week.
Badaru Abubakar, 63, was a two-term governor of Jigawa state from 2015 to 2023. He was appointed as a minister on August 21, 2023, by President Tinubu.
“His resignation comes amid President Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency, with plans to elaborate on its scope in due course.”
However, despite the explanation of the federal government, some pundits believe that Mr. Badaru was sacked as a direct fallout of the US President’s designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” on the allegation of “ongoing Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
Reacting to the resignation of the minister, politician and social rights activist, Omoyele Sowore in a social media post stated that Badaru’s exit was part of a larger plan to placate the US government and bring more competent person to supervise the the onslaught against terrorists in the country.
According to the activist, “ Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, did not resign. He was asked by AAsiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubuto step aside to make room for former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa to be appointed Defence Minister.
“There are also strong indications that US President Donald Trump’s United States military is pressing for the removal of the equally ineffective and utterly useless Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, citing serious concerns over intelligence sharing and collaboration.
“Matawalle is widely accused of having links to bandits in Zamfara!
The position of Sowore, however, received some support as the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lt.. Gen Christopher Musa was spotted at the Presidential Villa on Monday evening where he had a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
