Why I Resigned as Minister of Defence: Mohammed Badaru Abubakar Breaks Silence

By Tgnews Reporter

In a surprising turn of events, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, officially stepped down from his position on Monday, citing health challenges as the primary reason for his immediate resignation.

The announcement, made in a letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has sent ripples through the political landscape, raising questions about the future of Nigeria’s security apparatus amid a declared national security emergency.

In his resignation letter, seen by multiple news outlets, the 63-year-old former governor of Jigawa State expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve but emphasized that his deteriorating health necessitated the decision.

“After careful consideration and consultation with my medical team, I have concluded that stepping down is in the best interest of my health and the nation’s security leadership,” Abubakar stated.

He assured the public of his commitment to supporting the government’s efforts to address insecurity from a private capacity.

President Tinubu, in a statement released by his spokesman Bayo Onanuga, accepted the resignation with appreciation for Abubakar’s dedicated service since his appointment on August 21, 2023.

“The President commends Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar for his contributions to national security and wishes him a speedy recovery,” the statement read.

Tinubu also indicated that the name of Abubakar’s successor would be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation later this week, signaling a swift move to fill the critical vacancy.

The resignation comes at a challenging time for Nigeria, where escalating terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and banditry claiming over 10,000 lives annually according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)—have prompted the President to declare a national security emergency.

Sources within the administration suggest that Abubakar’s exit may pave the way for a more militarized approach, with speculation mounting around the potential appointment of General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, who has been lauded for his aggressive kinetic operations against Boko Haram.