New details have revealed that the former Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, was compelled to resign following a months-long cold war with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, a rift that had been carefully kept out of public view.
Badaru, a former two-term Governor of Jigawa State, was appointed on August 21, 2023, largely on the strength of his administrative record and political influence in the Northwest, a region severely affected by banditry and terrorism. Upon his swearing-in, he was said to have prioritised military modernisation, intelligence reform, and counter-terrorism operations.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Matawalle on the same day to support Badaru in executing defence policies. However, in recent weeks, both ministers came under intense public scrutiny following a resurgence of bandit attacks and mass abductions of schoolchildren across northern states.
The security crisis prompted Tinubu to declare a nationwide security emergency and drew renewed international attention, with the Trump administration redesignating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” in late October over allegations of mass killings of Christians.
Analysts and sections of the public began calling for Badaru’s removal, citing perceived failure to lead the ministry effectively amid escalating violence. Behind the scenes, however, the growing discord between Badaru and Matawalle had reached a breaking point, ultimately contributing to Badaru’s decision to step down.
Insiders described the relationship as “dysfunctional” and marked by disagreements over strategy, resource allocation, and public communication, undermining cohesion at a time when the ministry needed unified leadership.
The resignation has laid bare internal fractures within Nigeria’s defence hierarchy at a critical moment, raising concerns about coordination and strategic direction as the country grapples with one of its worst security crises in years.
