Security and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, as well as the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, following the resignation of the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, who stepped down in a December 1, 2025 letter citing health reasons, a move already accepted by the President with a promise to notify the Senate of a successor.
Reacting in a post on 𝕏, Zagazola questioned the competence of key security appointees and blamed persistent insecurity on leadership failures, stating: “When will Matawalle GO? The Nigeria’s security architecture continues to suffer not only from operational gaps but from leadership failures at the top. Many Nigerians are now questioning when those without demonstrable capacity in key national security positions will step aside for competent, experienced professionals to take charge. The first major setback for the Defence Minister was the appointment of individuals widely perceived as lacking the depth, expertise and strategic understanding required for such sensitive roles. The situation is no different in the Ministry of Police Affairs, where even the visibility and impact of the Minister, Sen. Ibrahim Gaidam, remain largely unknown to the public. These are not ceremonial portfolios they are frontline ministries that demand seasoned, knowledgeable leaders with proven records in security management, operational oversight and institutional reforms. Without such competence at the helm, Nigeria’s fight against insecurity risks being undermined from within.”