Badaru Resigns As Defence Minister, Cites Health Grounds

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned from office with immediate effect, citing health concerns.

In a letter dated December 1 and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former Jigawa State governor said his decision to step down was necessary to attend to his wellbeing.

President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and expressed appreciation for Badaru’s service to the country, according to Presidency sources.

The president is expected to communicate the name of a new defence minister to the Senate later this week.

Badaru, 63, served as governor of Jigawa State for two terms between 2015 and 2023 before his appointment as Minister of Defence on August 21, 2023, by President Tinubu.

His resignation comes at a time the president has declared a national security emergency, with further details of the framework expected to be unveiled in the coming days.