Badaru, Tinubu’s Minister of Defense Throws up the Towel Amid Security Challenges, Cites Health Reasons

Mohammed Badaru, Minister of Defense, has resigned his position with immediate effect.

Badaru announced his resignation in a letter dated December 1 to President Bola Tinubu, citing health reasons.

Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, said in a statement on Monday that Tinubu accepted the resignation and thanked the former minister for his service to the nation.

“President Tinubu will most likely notify the Senate of Badaru’s successor later this week,” the statement reads.

Badaru, 63, served as governor of Jigawa state for two terms, from 2015 to 2023. President Tinubu appointed him as a minister on August 21, 2023.

His resignation comes as President Tinubu declares a national security emergency, with plans to elaborate on its scope in due course.

The development comes after a meeting between Christopher Musa, the former chief of defence staff (CDS), and the president at the State House earlier on Monday evening.

According to TheCable, the meeting is a precursor to Tinubu’s major shake-up in light of the country’s growing insecurity.