New insights have surfaced regarding the unexpected resignation of former Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, after only two years in office. While Badaru cited health concerns in his official resignation letter, sources reveal that a prolonged power struggle with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, significantly influenced his decision.
Badaru formally stepped down on Monday, with President Bola Tinubu promptly appointing retired General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as his successor. The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, publicly affirmed that health issues were the reason for Badaru’s exit. However, an investigation by Saturday PUNCH found that the primary factor was the tense relationship between Badaru and Matawalle.
Appointed on August 21, 2023, following his tenure as Jigawa State governor, Badaru was brought in for his administrative experience and political influence in the North West, a region facing severe banditry and insurgency. His mandate included military modernisation, intelligence reforms, and counter-terrorism operations. Matawalle, appointed simultaneously as Minister of State for Defence, was expected to assist Badaru in implementing these policies.
Reports indicate that friction between the two ministers escalated in recent months, coinciding with a deteriorating security situation marked by a resurgence of bandit attacks, terrorism, and mass school kidnappings. Heightened public scrutiny and global attention, especially following President Tinubu’s nationwide security emergency declaration and international concerns over attacks on Christians, intensified the pressure on the Defence Ministry.
Several military insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Saturday PUNCH that the resignation stemmed less from health issues and more from Badaru’s strained relationship with Matawalle. One source noted, “Matawalle and Badaru had a frosty relationship behind the scenes, though they appeared cordial in public. Their tensions disrupted some ministry operations, including media coordination.”
It was also suggested that Matawalle, with his strong ties to the presidency and significant political influence in Zamfara State, was increasingly dominant within the ministry. Party leaders in the All Progressives Congress reportedly view him as a strategic asset for the 2027 elections, giving him a political edge over Badaru, who lacked similar backing.
With General Musa’s appointment as the new Minister of Defence, observers are closely watching whether he can foster a productive working relationship with Matawalle to tackle Nigeria’s growing insecurity challenges.
The question remains: Was Badaru forced out, or did he resign because he lacked the political leverage to assert his position?
