ABUJA: President Bola Tinubu is expected to announce a new Minister of Defence this week following the sudden resignation of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar. The former minister, who stepped down citing health concerns, communicated his decision in a letter dated December 1.
According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu has accepted the resignation and expressed gratitude for Abubakar’s service. The President is also set to notify the Senate of his preferred replacement in the coming days.
Badaru, 63, a two-term governor of Jigawa State, joined the Federal Executive Council in August 2023.
His exit comes at a critical moment as the administration battles escalating insecurity and implements new emergency security measures, including recruiting 20,000 police officers and deploying forest guards across volatile regions.
Analysts had long questioned Badaru’s capacity to lead the ministry. Hours before the news broke, Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.) sparking speculation about the next appointee.
The security transition is expected to shape the next phase of Tinubu’s nationwide emergency response.
