The immediate past Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, has issued a strong rebuttal against a viral online report linking his recent resignation from President Bola Tinubu's cabinet to alleged military plans.
False Claims of a Coordinated Strike
In a personally signed electronic statement released on December 3, 2025, Badaru categorically denied the malicious publication. The report had falsely alleged he resigned because he could not support purported plans by the United States and the Nigerian government to strike targets connected to accusations of genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
"My attention has been drawn to a malicious, false, and baseless publication circulating online," Badaru stated. He clarified that the claim suggesting he said, "I cannot stand and watch the US and Tinubu government bombing our brothers in the forest," was a complete fabrication.
A Deliberate Attempt to Tarnish Reputation
The former minister described the report as entirely false and deliberately mischievous. He emphasized that it did not originate from him or any authorized representative acting on his behalf.
Badaru asserted that the clear intent behind the false story was to damage his hard-earned reputation and create unnecessary discord between him and the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He labelled it a distraction from the crucial work of governance being undertaken by the administration.
Reaffirming Loyalty to Tinubu and the APC
Addressing the actual reasons for his departure from the cabinet, Badaru stressed that the valid reasons were formally communicated to the President and subsequently made public through official channels. He dismissed any suggestion of an alternative or inflammatory motive as a falsehood engineered by mischief-makers.
In a significant move, the former Defence Minister used the statement to reaffirm his unwavering loyalty to President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
"I wish to reassure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the good people of Nigeria that I remain firmly committed to the peace, security, and stability of our nation," he declared.
He further confirmed his continued support for the administration's Renewed Hope Agenda and his full dedication to the success of the APC, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
This public clarification from Badaru aims to put to rest the speculative rumours and reinforce his position within the political structure of the ruling party.
