ABUJA, Nigeria — Mohammed Badaru, the former Minister of Defence, has dismissed as “entirely false” an online publication alleging he resigned due to objections over joint military operations involving Nigeria and the United States.
Badaru formally stepped down on Monday, December 1, 2025, citing health concerns in a letter to President Bola Tinubu.
His resignation came amid heightened security tensions and days before the president nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, as his replacement.
In a statement on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Badaru said he was compelled to address a viral claim accusing him of saying he “cannot stand and watch the US and Tinubu government bombing our brothers in the forest.”
He described the publication as a calculated attempt to smear his character and create friction between him and the president.
“My attention has been drawn to a malicious, false and baseless publication circulating online, alleging that I stated I resigned as minister of defence because I ‘cannot stand and watch the US and Tinubu government bombing our brothers in the forest’,” he said.
“I wish to state categorically and unequivocally that this publication is entirely false, deliberately mischievous, and did not originate from me or from any authorised representative acting on my behalf.
“The intent behind this fabrication is clear: to tarnish my hard-earned reputation, sow discord between me and the Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and create needless distractions from the important work of governance.”
Badaru insisted that the real reasons for his resignation had been communicated to Tinubu and publicly reported.
“The true and valid reasons for my resignation were formally communicated to Mr President and subsequently made known to the public through conventional and social media platforms,” he said.
“Any suggestion of an alternative or inflammatory motive is a complete falsehood engineered by mischief-makers.”
He reaffirmed his loyalty to the president and his support for the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly ahead of the 2027 general election.
“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 said.
“My loyalty to the President and unwavering support for the Renewed Hope Agenda remain intact.”
Badaru added that he remains dedicated to the party’s success at all levels.
His resignation paved the way for Tinubu’s nomination of Christopher Musa as the new Minister of Defence.
Musa, a former Chief of Defence Staff, was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, following a screening session that examined his security proposals and previous service record.
