Fresh information has surfaced regarding the true factors behind the unexpected resignation of former Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, after only two years in the role.
Recall that Badaru, in his resignation letter, attributed his exit to health challenges. However, sources suggest that an extended internal clash between him and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, significantly influenced his decision to step aside.
News Region had earlier reported that Badaru tendered his resignation on Monday, prompting President Bola Tinubu to immediately appoint retired General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as the new Minister of Defence.
In a statement, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, maintained that Badaru stepped down because of deteriorating health.
However, an inquiry by Saturday Punch discovered that the underlying cause of Badaru’s departure was a prolonged disagreement between him and Matawalle.
Badaru, who assumed office on August 21, 2023, after serving two terms as Jigawa State governor, was selected mainly for his governance background and political weight in the North West, a region facing deepening banditry and insurgency.
Upon taking office, Badaru was tasked with overseeing military reforms, strengthening intelligence frameworks, and advancing counter-terrorism strategies.
Conversely, Matawalle, who was appointed the same day as Minister of State for Defence, was expected to support Badaru in implementing defence policies.
The findings indicated that friction between the two officials had intensified in recent weeks as the nation’s security crisis escalated. The renewed wave of bandit attacks and terrorism, alongside mass school abductions, placed immense strain on the Defence Ministry.
The rampant kidnappings and rising insecurity drew intense domestic and international scrutiny, especially following President Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency.
The situation further worsened in October when the military invasion threat from United States President, Donald Trump, emerged after he re-listed Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over the mass killing of Christians allegedly tied to insurgent groups.
Amid growing public frustration, some analysts and citizens began demanding Badaru’s dismissal. The pressure eventually contributed to his resignation on December 1, with health issues cited as the official justification.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, various military insiders in the Defence Ministry asserted that Badaru’s exit was not solely due to health complications but the result of his deteriorating relationship with Matawalle.
An official, who requested anonymity, stated that although the two ministers appeared cordial in public, there was notable strain in their private dealings.
“Matawalle and Badaru had a frosty relationship for most of the period he was minister, although they appeared cool with each other in public. But it is a known fact here that they had something against themselves,” the official said.
He added that the tension disrupted certain aspects of the ministry’s operations, including media coordination. “This affected some of their work. Even as a journalist, does the media unit look coordinated to you? Was this how it was being run before they came?
“Pairing the two together as ministers is something that ought not to have happened in the first place,” he added. Another military source said it was widely believed that Matawalle enjoyed substantial backing from the presidency and was increasingly assertive within the ministry.
The source also mentioned that some All Progressives Congress leaders viewed Matawalle as a valuable political figure for the current administration, particularly in the North West.
“Matawale is from Zamfara State, and he has a very strong political presence in the state. The APC leaders see him as an asset for the 2027 election. So, they’re always on his side. He has the political backing and connection.
“But Badaru is weak, politically. The presidency does not actually reckon with him when it comes to power play and politics,” the source explained.
With the appointment of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa (rtd), as the new Minister of Defence, analysts are already questioning whether he can build cohesion with Matawalle to tackle the worsening insecurity.
Do you think Badaru was pushed out or was too weak to have resigned instead of standing his ground? Tell us your thoughts in the comment below.
