President Bola Tinubu is poised to name a new Minister of Defence this week, following the abrupt resignation of the incumbent, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds amidst a national security emergency.
The resignation, which took immediate effect, was formally conveyed in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to the President.
The development was announced late Monday evening in a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The statement, confirmed by Hobnob News, noted:
“In a letter dated December 1, sent to President Bola Tinubu, Abubakar said he was quitting on health grounds.”
President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and expressed his gratitude for Abubakar’s service. The statement indicated that the replacement process is already prioritized: “President Tinubu will likely inform the Senate of Badaru’s successor later this week.”
The Succession Speculation: Meeting with Ex-CDS
Fueling intense speculation over who might replace the Defence Minister is the revelation that President Tinubu met privately with the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), at the State House just hours before the resignation was publicly announced.
A Hobnob News Correspondent sighted Gen. Musa arriving at the Presidential Villa at 7:03 p.m., Monday evening, dressed in traditional northern attire before being led into the President’s office wing by a senior security official. This marks his first public meeting with the President since his retirement on October 24, 2025.
Although the purpose of the meeting could not be immediately confirmed by Hobnob News, the timing has accelerated political discourse regarding the potential selection of a replacement with deep military experience.
Departure Amidst Security Crisis
Alhaji Abubakar’s exit comes at a sensitive juncture for the administration, which has recently declared a nationwide security emergency to grapple with mounting insecurity. The pressure on the Ministry of Defence has been significant, with analysts persistently calling for Abubakar’s removal, arguing he was ill-suited to lead the ministry during the crisis.
The administration has recently rolled out several new measures aimed at stabilizing the nation, including:
* The recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers.
* The planned deployment of forest guards.
* Heightened security measures for schools, churches, and mosques in vulnerable communities.
Abubakar, 63, served as a two-term Governor of Jigawa State (2015–2023) before his appointment as Minister of Defence on August 21, 2023. His departure necessitates a swift appointment to maintain stability and leadership continuity in the crucial security sector.
