President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is shopping for a new Minister of Defence following the resignation of the incumbent, Badaru Abubakar, 63.
Badaru, a former two-term governor of Jigawa State (2015 – 2023), was appointed as Minister of Defence on August 21, 2023. He resigned his ministerial appointment in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to the president, citing health grounds.
PBAT’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, in announcing the resignation of the minister, stated: “In a letter dated December 1, sent to President Bola Tinubu, Abubakar said he was quitting on health grounds,” the statement read.
“President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his services to the nation.
“President Tinubu will likely inform the Senate of Badaru’s successor later this week.”
Following his recent comments on insecurity in the country, Badaru became a subject of fierce criticism, with others questioning his suitability to hold the office of Minister of Defence.
It is understood that PBAT met privately with former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), at the State House hours before Badaru’s resignation, sparking speculation that he may be the replacement.
