By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
NIGERIA’s DEFENCE portfolio changed hands after Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, stepped down on Monday citing health grounds, according to an official confirmation from the Presidency.
The minister announced his immediate departure in a letter submitted to President Bola Tinubu and dated 1 December.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development, stating that President Tinubu had accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his service.
The release stated that the President would inform the Senate of a successor later in the week, indicating that considerations for a replacement were under way.
No additional names or details were provided, but it was made clear that the process of filling the vacancy had begun.
Media information also noted that Abubakar, 63, served as governor of Jigawa State for two consecutive terms from 2015 to 2023 before his appointment to the federal cabinet on 21 August 2023.
His departure comes at a time when the President has declared a national security emergency, with the scope of the directive expected to be elaborated upon in due course.
The Presidency’s communication placed the development within the broader context of evolving national security concerns.
Recent incidents referenced include the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, an attack on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, and the kidnapping of Catholic schoolchildren in Minna.
These incidents were listed as part of the security challenges Nigeria currently faces, though no linkage was established between the resignation and these events.
The resignation was followed by another movement in the security establishment.
Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa (retired), was reported to have visited President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday evening.
According to the information provided, this was his first appearance at the State House since his removal from office in October.
The statement noted that the former CDS arrived in traditional northern attire and proceeded to a closed-door meeting with the President.
No further details of the engagement were disclosed, and the purpose of the visit had not been stated.
It was reiterated that General Musa had been relieved of his duties earlier in the year. The documents did not offer any explanation for his removal.
They referenced that his departure occurred when a report circulated alleging an aborted planned coup, but the press-release content did not attribute this to the Presidency or link the removal to the allegation.
Further details noted that General Musa, who hails from Northern Kaduna, had built a reputation for firm stances against negotiating with insurgents, bandits and terrorists.
He was said to have entered the State House shortly after 7.00pm, though no additional remarks were issued regarding his meeting with the President.
It was also indicated that expectations had arisen around potential adjustments within the defence structure, given earlier changes to Service Chiefs and ongoing national security pressures.
Emphasising the scale of insecurity affecting the North, including Kwara, Kogi, Kebbi and Niger States, the press described the rising incidents of terrorism and banditry as worrisome and noted calls for decisive steps to address the situation.
A directive declaring a national security emergency was referenced as an important development, though no additional details were provided.
The Presidency confirmed that Mohammed Badaru Abubakar’s resignation had taken immediate effect and that the President had begun considering a replacement.
The official notices also highlighted that the former CDS’s visit occurred the same day, though the press-release content did not connect the two events. The Presidency had not issued any comment linking the visit to Abubakar’s departure or to wider restructuring.
The release referenced earlier decisions regarding security architecture, including the replacement of Service Chiefs, suggesting that the current changes may fall within the same evolving framework.
However, the documents did not provide new policy details, instead reaffirming the acceptance of the resignation and ongoing steps to appoint a successor.
