… reliable military insiders within the defence ministry revealed that Badaru’s prolonged feud with Matawalle rather than health issues ultimately led to his resignation.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Fresh information has surfaced regarding the unexpected resignation of former Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down after two years in office.
Badaru tendered his resignation on Monday, attributing his decision to health-related issues.
Following his exit, President Bola Tinubu administered the oath of office to former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.), who now assumes the role of Minister of Defence.
Confirming the development, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that Badaru resigned due to “poor health.”
Nonetheless, investigations indicated that the former minister’s resignation was not entirely voluntary. He was reportedly pressured to step down due to a prolonged power struggle with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, a dispute that had been deliberately concealed from public view for months.
Badaru had assumed office on August 21, 2023, shortly after completing two terms as governor of Jigawa State.
His appointment was said to be based on his strong administrative track record and his political influence in the North West, a region facing intensifying challenges from banditry and insurgency.
After taking the oath of office with the other ministers, Badaru reportedly focused on military modernisation, strengthening intelligence systems, and intensifying counter-terrorism efforts.
Tinubu also appointed Matawalle on the same day to assist Badaru, the senior minister, in carrying out the administration’s defence agenda.
In recent weeks, however, both officials faced heightened public criticism as bandit and terrorist activities resurged nationwide, eventually pushing Tinubu to declare a national security emergency.
The deteriorating security situation escalated into widespread abductions of schoolchildren, with numerous pupils and students kidnapped across several northern states.
These incidents intensified scrutiny on Badaru, with commentators arguing that he was failing to provide effective leadership at the Ministry of Defence and calling for his removal.
The crisis also revived international attention on Nigeria’s security challenges, including renewed criticism from the Trump administration, which in late October reclassified Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged mass killings of Christians.
With public anger rising, Badaru submitted his resignation on December 1.
In separate interviews, reliable military insiders within the defence ministry revealed that Badaru’s prolonged feud with Matawalle rather than health issues ultimately led to his resignation.
A ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said that although the two ministers maintained a facade of cordiality, their relationship behind closed doors was strained.
“Matawalle and Badaru had a frosty relationship for most of his time in office, even though they appeared friendly in public. Everyone here knows they had issues with each other,” the official said.
He added that the rift affected aspects of the ministry’s operations, including how information was handled.
“It influenced some of their work. Even from a journalist’s perspective, does the media unit seem coordinated to you? Was this how things were run before they assumed office?
“Pairing the two of them as ministers should never have happened,” he added.
Another military source claimed that Matawalle was believed to enjoy strong backing from the presidency and had begun to assert excessive influence within the ministry.
The source added that several leaders within the All Progressives Congress view Matawalle as a valuable political asset for the current administration, especially in the North-West.
“Matawalle hails from Zamfara State and commands significant political influence there. APC leaders see him as crucial to the 2027 elections, so he enjoys their full support. He has the political clout and connections.
“But Badaru is politically weak. The presidency doesn’t really consider him influential when it comes to power dynamics,” the source said.
Following Badaru’s exit last week, several Nigerians including activists and political analysts have intensified demands for Matawalle to be removed as Minister of State for Defence over the worsening security situation.
Matawalle, a former Zamfara State governor, has long faced intermittent calls to resign, particularly from political rivals in his home state.
In September 2024, Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal publicly called for his resignation over alleged ties to bandit groups, claims Matawalle has consistently rejected.
At the time, Lawal insisted that the minister either clear his name or step down.
Earlier, the APC Akida Forum had submitted a petition urging authorities to suspend Matawalle pending an investigation into allegations of collaboration with criminal groups.
By November 2025, the Good Governance and Accountability Monitoring Group also called on the President to dismiss him, accusing the minister of “complicity” and “poor performance” amid persistent insecurity.
Despite the mounting pressure, ministry officials suggested that Matawalle might remain in office, even with the series of shake-ups in the security sector over the past two months.
Presidency insiders likewise told our correspondent that Matawalle’s appointment formed part of a broader, coordinated strategy to combat banditry.
They pointed to his recent deployment to Kebbi State following the abduction of 24 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, a crisis that ended with the girls’ safe recovery through a joint operation.
Meanwhile, Matawalle was conspicuously absent on Friday as Gen. Musa (retd.) formally took over at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
No official reason had been provided for his absence as of press time.
Musa, who was sworn in on Thursday by President Tinubu, arrived at the ministry to a welcome led by the service chiefs, the permanent secretary, and other senior officials.
The new defence minister announced that one of his first tasks would be a comprehensive review of all theatre commands and inter-service operational structures nationwide.
Addressing ministry officials during his inaugural briefing, Musa said the review was essential to strengthen joint operations among the services, close operational gaps, and ensure strategic alignment between policy and on-ground missions.
He further emphasized that personnel welfare would be treated as a strategic priority rather than merely an administrative obligation.
He highlighted the prompt payment of allowances, timely provision of kits, better housing, improved medical services, and stronger support for the families of fallen soldiers as priorities that would receive immediate attention.
Musa stated, “We must face a fundamental truth: welfare is not an administrative issue; it is strategic. Morale is a force multiplier. Our personnel must receive their kits on time, and their operational allowances must be paid without delay.
“Accommodation, medical care, and support for injured personnel and the families of the fallen must be top priorities. Those on the frontlines watch how we treat their comrades. If they feel neglected, they cannot give their best. Anyone who risks their life for Nigeria deserves the highest respect.”
He stressed that Nigeria could no longer continue with fragmented or isolated security operations, insisting that true success depended on effective collaboration among the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other security agencies.
He added that the ministry under his leadership would be anchored on three pillars: operational effectiveness, unified action, and strategic foresight.
“The threats before us are complex, but our resolve is stronger. No individual and no single service can prevail alone. We must operate as one Nigeria,” Musa said.
He also pledged zero tolerance for corruption, indiscipline, and inefficiency within the ministry, asserting that professionalism and integrity would define his leadership.
“I expect the highest levels of professionalism, integrity, and urgency. We have no time to waste. We must uphold human rights, minimize errors, and when mistakes occur, address them swiftly and decisively. I welcome honest advice and strong debate, but once a decision is reached, we must act as a unified team.”
He also vowed to expand the use of technology, intelligence, and data-driven planning in defence operations, while strengthening cooperation with allies and domestic security agencies.
“I am not here merely to preside. I am here to lead, to work, and to deliver,” he stated.
Musa assured the service chiefs of his full support and encouraged the ministry’s civil service structure to remain diligent in translating military priorities into actionable policies.
He noted that Nigerians were desperate for peace, security, and stability, emphasising that children must return to their classrooms and farmers to their fields.
“The bloodshed of innocent people must stop. Our children deserve to return to school. Farmers must be able to go back to their farms. Many of these challenges demand both kinetic and non-kinetic solutions, justice, equity, fairness, and good governance. We will pursue a comprehensive and balanced approach. Nigerians are looking to us for results and we must deliver,” he said.
