Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has alleged that Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, did not voluntarily resign as officially announced, but was asked by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step aside.
According to Sowore, the move was to create space for former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who is reportedly being considered for appointment as the new Minister of Defence.
Sowore also claimed there are growing signals that the United States, under President Donald Trump, is expressing dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s security leadership. He alleged that US officials have concerns over intelligence coordination and collaboration with the Nigerian Ministry of Defence.
Additionally, Sowore asserted that the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, is under pressure due to perceived issues affecting security cooperation. Matawalle has previously faced public accusations regarding his handling of banditry in Zamfara—allegations he has consistently denied.
These claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no official reaction from the Presidency, the Ministry of Defence, or the United States government as of the time of this report.
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