Contrary to the initial explanation provided by the Presidency, insiders say Badaru stepped down following a long-running rift with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, a situation that allegedly crippled coordination at the heart of Nigeria’s security leadership.
Badaru resigned unexpectedly on Monday, December 1, after serving two years in office. The Presidency promptly attributed the exit to “poor health”, with Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga announcing that President Bola Tinubu had accepted the resignation on medical grounds.
Badaru resigned unexpectedly on Monday, December 1, after serving two years in office. The Presidency promptly attributed the exit to “poor health”, with Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga announcing that President Bola Tinubu had accepted the resignation on medical grounds.
Hours later, the President swore in former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.), as the new Defence Minister.
However, new findings now suggest that Badaru’s resignation had been building quietly for months. According to senior military officials quoted in confidential briefings, Badaru and Matawalle were locked in a silent but fierce rivalry, one that senior officers described simply as “a war.”
One senior officer revealed that although both men appeared cordial in public, their relationship had been strained almost from the beginning of their tenure.
However, new findings now suggest that Badaru’s resignation had been building quietly for months. According to senior military officials quoted in confidential briefings, Badaru and Matawalle were locked in a silent but fierce rivalry, one that senior officers described simply as “a war.”
One senior officer revealed that although both men appeared cordial in public, their relationship had been strained almost from the beginning of their tenure.
“They had issues with each other for most of the time Badaru was here,” the official said.
“The tension was affecting coordination, decision-making and even communication within the ministry.”
Sources further claimed that pairing the two men in the same ministry was a structural mistake from the start, given their conflicting political interests and leadership styles.
Sources further claimed that pairing the two men in the same ministry was a structural mistake from the start, given their conflicting political interests and leadership styles.
Another insider noted that Matawalle’s rising influence within the ruling APC, particularly in the North West, made him politically stronger than Badaru.
“Matawalle is viewed as an asset heading into 2027. Badaru didn’t command that kind of political weight,” the source explained.
Beyond internal rivalries, Badaru also faced mounting public pressure due to worsening insecurity across the country. Despite his administrative experience as a former governor of Jigawa State, recurring bandit attacks, mass abductions and rising public criticism placed him under intense scrutiny.
Beyond internal rivalries, Badaru also faced mounting public pressure due to worsening insecurity across the country. Despite his administrative experience as a former governor of Jigawa State, recurring bandit attacks, mass abductions and rising public criticism placed him under intense scrutiny.
The pressure intensified after President Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency, and the United States once again listed Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over mass killings of Christians.
Amid the crises and the growing internal cracks in the ministry, Badaru tendered his resignation on December 1.
His exit has sparked fresh calls for the resignation of Bello Matawalle himself. Civil society groups, activists and even political leaders have urged President Tinubu to remove the Minister of State for Defence, citing alleged links to bandit networks and poor performance—accusations Matawalle has repeatedly denied.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa, has begun rolling out sweeping reforms.
Amid the crises and the growing internal cracks in the ministry, Badaru tendered his resignation on December 1.
His exit has sparked fresh calls for the resignation of Bello Matawalle himself. Civil society groups, activists and even political leaders have urged President Tinubu to remove the Minister of State for Defence, citing alleged links to bandit networks and poor performance—accusations Matawalle has repeatedly denied.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa, has begun rolling out sweeping reforms.
In his first briefing, Musa emphasised the need for stronger joint operations, improved coordination among the security agencies, and prioritising personnel welfare as a strategic pillar.
“No single service can win this fight alone. We must operate as one Nigeria,” he said.
General Musa is expected to unveil more reforms in the coming weeks as he assumes full control of Nigeria’s defence structure.
General Musa is expected to unveil more reforms in the coming weeks as he assumes full control of Nigeria’s defence structure.
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