Pressure is mounting on President Bola Tinubu to remove Bello Matawalle as minister of state for defence following the resignation of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar as minister of defence.
According to reports, the United States requested the removal of both Badaru Abubakar and Matawalle before agreeing to collaborate with Nigeria on counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations.
A top government official was quoted as saying that the US insisted that both men be replaced before any cooperation could proceed.
Badaru Abubakar resigned from office on Monday, citing health grounds and the presidency is expected to notify the Senate of a replacement this week.
Earlier on Monday, Christopher Musa, former Chief of Defence Staff, held a meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting was said to be Musa’s first interaction with the president since he was retired on October 24, 2025.
Sources told Sahara Reporters that Tinubu informed Musa that he would take over from Badaru as the minister of defence.
Badaru Abubakar, aged 63, served as governor of Jigawa from 2015 to 2023 before his appointment as minister on August 21, 2023.
