“Crisis in the Defence Ministry: Badaru Resigns as America Pushes for Total Leadership Purge!”
By Passman Akpos
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned from office with immediate effect, citing health grounds in a letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on December 1.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, noting that President Tinubu had accepted the resignation and expressed gratitude for Badaru’s service.
“President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his services to the nation,” Onanuga stated, adding that the President is expected to notify the Senate of the minister’s successor later this week.
Badaru, 63, previously served two terms as governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023 before being appointed Defence Minister on August 21, 2023.
U.S. Pressure Allegedly Linked to Resignation
According to SaharaReporters, Badaru’s resignation coincides with mounting international pressure—particularly from the United States—for a restructuring of Nigeria’s defence leadership. The outlet reported that Washington allegedly insisted on the removal of both Badaru and Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle before engaging in new security collaboration with Nigeria, especially in counterterrorism and anti-banditry operations.
A senior government source quoted by SaharaReporters claimed, “We were told the U.S. insisted that Badaru and Matawalle be replaced before any cooperation with Nigeria could proceed.”
The Presidency has not publicly confirmed the alleged U.S. request.
General Christopher Musa Tipped as Likely Replacement
Further sources cited by SaharaReporters disclosed that former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, met with President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa on Monday—his first visit since his retirement on October 24, 2025.
During the meeting, President Tinubu reportedly informed Musa that he would be appointed to succeed Badaru as Minister of Defence. Official confirmation from the Presidency is still pending.
Resignation Comes as Nigeria Declares National Security Emergency
Badaru’s sudden exit also comes amid President Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency, with details of the administration’s expanded security framework expected to be announced in the coming days.
Background: U.S. Redesignates Nigeria as ‘Country of Particular Concern’
The reshuffling in Nigeria’s defence leadership follows Washington’s recent redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for what it described as “particularly severe violations of religious freedom.”
U.S. officials and advocacy groups blamed extremist organisations such as Boko Haram and ISWAP for widespread, targeted killings—especially of Christians—allegations that some advocacy groups describe as “genocidal” in scale.
Nigeria sharply rejected the genocide characterization. In response to the CPC listing, a high-level Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu visited Washington for discussions, where both countries agreed to pursue new joint mechanisms to tackle insecurity and religious-freedom concerns.
