Former Minister of Defence Badaru Abubakar resigned on Monday, with the Presidency stating he stepped down due to “poor health.” However, findings by Saturday PUNCH reveal his resignation followed a protracted cold war with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. Ministry sources described a “frosty relationship” that affected operations, with one official noting, “Matawalle and Badaru had a frosty relationship for most of the period he was minister.” The resignation occurred amid intense public scrutiny over worsening insecurity, including mass school abductions.
President Bola Tinubu swore in former Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa (retd.) as the new minister. In his maiden address, Musa announced an immediate comprehensive review of all theatre commands and stressed that “welfare is not administrative; it is strategic. Morale is a force multiplier.” He pledged zero tolerance for corruption, emphasized unified action among services, and stated, “I am not here to preside. I am here to lead, to work and to deliver.”
Meanwhile, Matawalle was notably absent on Friday when Gen. Musa (retd.) formally assumed office at the Ministry of Defence, Abuja.
There was no official explanation for his absence as of press time.
In separate interviews with Saturday PUNCH, credible military sources within the defence ministry said Badaru’s long-running animosity with Matawalle, rather than health concerns, ultimately forced him out.
An official of the ministry, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said the two ministers maintained a cordial appearance in public but had a “frosty relationship” behind the scenes.
“Matawalle and Badaru had a frosty relationship for most of the period he was minister, although they appeared cool with each other in public. But it is a known fact here that they had something against themselves,” the official said.
According to him, the tension affected some aspects of the ministry’s work, including media coordination.
“This affected some of their work. Even as a journalist, does the media unit look coordinated to you? Was this how it was being run before they came?
“Pairing the two together as ministers is something that ought not to have happened in the first place,” he added.
Another military source said it was believed that Matawale had a strong relationship with the presidency and was becoming domineering within the ministry.