…Badaru Was Asked To Step Aside – Sowore Alleges
Speculation about a possible cabinet change intensified on Monday following a private meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the recently retired Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), hours before the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, announced his resignation.
Recall that Gen. Musa, who retired on October 24, 2025, was led into the President’s office area by a senior security official for the meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
The purpose of the meeting was not immediately known, but the subsequent resignation of Minister Badaru suggested Musa may be poised for a new cabinet appointment.
Musa was appointed as the 18th Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria on June 23, 2023. During his tenure, he was widely credited with leading major restructuring and modernisation efforts in the military.
As theatre commander before becoming CDS, he led operations against insurgents in the North-east under Operation Hadin Kai.
He also emphasised civil-military cooperation, believing in integrating humanitarian and development initiatives with security operations.
Meanwhile,human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore has alleged that President Bola Tinubu asked Mohammed Badaru Abubakar to step aside as Defence Minister.
Sowore in a Facebook post claimed that the Minister was asked to resign to pave the way for the appointment of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa as Defence Minister
He said, Abubakar “was asked by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step aside to make room for former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa to be appointed Defence Minister”.
The activist also alleged that the Nigerian government is also under pressure to relieve the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle over security concerns.
“There are also strong indications that US President Donald Trump’s United States military is pressing for the removal of the equally ineffective and utterly useless Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, citing serious concerns over intelligence sharing and collaboration”, Sowore added.