Calls for the removal of Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar have escalated as concerns over Nigeria’s growing security challenges continue to mount. A federal lawmaker and a prominent youth group have both criticized Badaru, claiming that his leadership is contributing to the country’s worsening insecurity.
On Sunday, the Afenifere Youth Vanguard for Peace in Nigeria (AYPN) joined the call for Badaru’s removal, backing the statement made by Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, a member of the House of Representatives from Plateau State. Gagdi had recently raised alarms in the House about the country’s military response to the rising wave of terrorist attacks, particularly in Borno State.
He referred to reports of insurgents overrunning military bases and seizing vital military equipment, including 40 tanks and other platforms. This, Gagdi argued, raised serious doubts about the nation’s defence capabilities and the ability to safeguard citizens.
The AYPN described Gagdi’s remarks as a “clear and courageous vote of no confidence” in Badaru, noting that the Defence Minister had proven to be inept in managing the country’s defence matters. According to Olatunji Fadare, president of the AYPN, there is no justification for the current state of affairs 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,” Fadare said.
The group further accused Badaru of prioritizing personal business interests over the national security agenda, claiming that the minister’s leadership was more concerned with business deals than addressing the country’s security crises. They labeled him as “a contractor in a camouflage ministry,” suggesting that his focus had shifted away from national security and towards personal ambitions.
Additionally, the AYPN alleged that defence contracts under Badaru’s watch were being awarded based on political connections rather than merit, contributing to equipment shortages and operational inefficiencies in the military. The group also pointed to his perceived lack of engagement, accusing him of being “too old, too out-of-touch, and too distracted by ambition” to effectively lead Nigeria’s defence ministry. “If we were at peace, maybe he could coast. But we are fighting for our survival — and he’s not even present,” Fadare added.
Another serious allegation leveled against Badaru was that he had fostered ethnic bias in military operations, with claims that recruitment, procurement, and strategic decisions within the ministry disproportionately favoured individuals aligned with his alleged 2027 presidential ambitions. Furthermore, the group criticized the ministry’s response to local concerns, particularly regarding the Borno State governor’s warnings about the growing threat in the region, which they said had been ignored.
“When people on the ground raise alarm and the minister responds with propaganda, it shows the ministry has lost its moral compass,” Fadare stated, further highlighting the breakdown of trust between the defence ministry and local leaders.
The youth group made an urgent appeal to President Bola Tinubu, calling for a restructuring of the country’s defence framework. “This is not about politics; it’s about survival. The President must show Nigerians that national interest comes before personal loyalty,” their statement read. They also warned that failure to address the situation could lead to a further erosion of public confidence in the government’s ability to protect citizens and maintain security.
