New details have emerged surrounding the abrupt resignation of former Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, after two years in office.
Badaru officially stepped down on Monday, citing health reasons, and was immediately succeeded by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.), who was sworn in by President Bola Tinubu as the new Defence Minister.
The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, announced Badaru’s resignation in a statement, confirming that the former minister stepped down due to “poor health.”
However, investigations by Saturday PUNCH reveal that the real reason for Badaru’s exit stemmed from a long-running clash with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. The feud, reportedly kept out of the public eye for months, is believed to have pressured Badaru into resigning.
Badaru, who was appointed on August 21, 2023, after completing two terms as Jigawa State governor, was selected for his administrative experience and political influence in Nigeria’s North West—a region battling escalating banditry and insurgency.
During his tenure, Badaru prioritized military modernization, intelligence reforms, and counter-terrorism operations, with Matawalle appointed on the same day to support him in implementing defence policies.
In recent weeks, however, the resurgence of bandit and terror attacks, including widespread abductions of schoolchildren across northern states, intensified scrutiny on the ministry. Analysts argued that Badaru was struggling to lead the Defence Ministry effectively, prompting calls for his removal.
Sources within the ministry told Saturday PUNCH that it was the tense relationship with Matawalle—not health issues—that ultimately led to Badaru’s resignation. While the two maintained a cordial public appearance, insiders described their working relationship as “frosty,” which affected ministry operations, including media coordination.
One military source noted that Matawalle, a former Zamfara State governor, enjoyed strong political backing from the presidency, making him a dominant force within the ministry. Party leaders reportedly viewed him as a strategic political asset for the 2027 elections, giving him significant influence over defence affairs, whereas Badaru was seen as politically weaker.
Since Badaru’s resignation, pressure has intensified for Matawalle to step down amid ongoing security challenges. Activists, political commentators, and civil society groups have criticized him for alleged poor performance and possible complicity with criminal networks, though he has consistently denied these claims.
Matawalle recently oversaw operations in Kebbi State, where 24 students were abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, and later rescued through a joint security operation. Despite this, he was absent when Gen. Musa officially assumed office at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
Upon taking office, Musa announced a comprehensive review of all theatre commands and inter-service operational structures to strengthen coordination, close operational gaps, and align field operations with policy objectives.
He emphasized welfare as a strategic priority, including timely payment of allowances, provision of kits, improved accommodation, quality medical care, and support for families of fallen personnel. Musa described morale as a “force multiplier” and underscored that operational effectiveness requires joint action across all branches of the military.
Musa also pledged zero tolerance for corruption, indiscipline, and inefficiency, stressing that professionalism, integrity, and adherence to human rights would guide his leadership. He committed to leveraging technology, intelligence, and data-driven strategies to enhance defence operations while strengthening partnerships with domestic and international security agencies.
He concluded by affirming the ministry’s mission to restore peace and stability, ensure children return to school, and allow farmers to resume their work. Musa emphasized that the government would pursue both kinetic and non-kinetic solutions, combining justice, fairness, and good governance to address insecurity and deliver results for Nigerians.
