Pressure mounts on Tinubu to sack defence Minister Badaru over ‘rising’ insecurity
Calls for the removal of the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, have intensified as a federal lawmaker and a youth group declared him unfit to manage the country’s worsening security crisis.
The Afenifere Youth Vanguard for Peace in Nigeria, AYPN, on Sunday, backed Hon Yusuf Gagdi, a member of the House of Representatives from Plateau State, who last week issued a scathing criticism of the minister on the floor of the House.
Gagdi had raised the alarm over recent terrorist attacks, particularly in Borno State, where insurgents reportedly overran military bases and carted away 40 tanks and military platforms, calling into question the nation’s defence capacity.
Describing the lawmaker’s statement as “a clear and courageous vote of no confidence,” the AYPN said Badaru lacks the competence and commitment required to secure the country.
“There is no excuse for what is happening under Badaru’s watch. The Defence Ministry is not a reward for political loyalty; it is the backbone of Nigeria’s safety, and it has collapsed under him,” said Olatunji Fadare, president of the AYPN.
The group alleged that since his appointment, the minister has focused more on consolidating personal business interests than addressing security threats, describing him as “a contractor in a camouflage ministry.”
They further claimed that defence contracts are being awarded based on political alignment, which they say has contributed to equipment shortages and intelligence failures in military operations.
“Badaru is too old, too out-of-touch, and too distracted by ambition to lead a wartime ministry. If we were at peace, maybe he could coast. But we are fighting for our survival — and he’s not even present,” Fadare said.
The group also accused the minister of ethnic bias, alleging that recruitment, procurement, and strategic decisions within the ministry now heavily favour individuals aligned with Badaru’s alleged 2027 presidential ambition.
They criticised the ministry’s response to reports from governors and lawmakers, citing Gagdi’s claim that warnings from the Borno State governor were dismissed.
“When people on the ground raise alarm and the minister responds with propaganda, it shows the ministry has lost its moral compass,” Fadare said.
The group called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently restructure the country’s defence architecture, beginning with Badaru’s removal.
“This is not about politics; it’s about survival. The President must show Nigerians that national interest comes before personal loyalty,” the statement added.
AYPN warned that failure to act decisively could lead to further loss of public confidence in the government’s ability to protect lives and property
