By Divine Sam
Mounting Calls for Defence Minister Badaru’s Removal Amid Rising Insecurity
Demands for the dismissal of Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, have grown louder, as both a federal lawmaker and a prominent youth group accuse him of failing to address the country’s deepening security crisis.
The Afenifere Youth Vanguard for Peace in Nigeria (AYPN) on Sunday threw its weight behind Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, a member of the House of Representatives from Plateau State, who recently launched a fierce criticism of the minister during a House session.
Gagdi raised alarms over a surge in terrorist activities, particularly in Borno State, where insurgents reportedly overran military installations and made away with 40 military vehicles and platforms—raising serious concerns about the nation’s defence preparedness.
Describing Gagdi’s remarks as a bold expression of public frustration, AYPN President Olatunji Fadare stated that Minister Badaru has shown neither the competence nor the commitment necessary for leading Nigeria’s defence sector.
“There is no justification for the lapses witnessed under Badaru’s leadership. The Defence Ministry is not a reward for political allegiance—it is the pillar of national security, and that pillar has crumbled,” Fadare said.
The group accused Badaru of prioritising personal business interests over national security, branding him “a contractor in a camouflage ministry.” They further alleged that defence contracts are now being awarded based on political loyalty, contributing to a lack of critical equipment and operational failures.
Fadare also criticised Badaru’s leadership style, calling him “too aged, too disconnected, and too distracted by future political ambitions to head a wartime ministry.”
According to AYPN, critical warnings from field leaders, including the Governor of Borno State, have been ignored by the Defence Ministry. They cited Hon. Gagdi’s complaint that such alerts were routinely downplayed or dismissed.
“When local leaders raise legitimate concerns and the ministry responds with spin, it’s a clear sign the system is broken,” Fadare added.
The youth group urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently overhaul the defence sector, starting with Badaru’s immediate removal.
“This is beyond politics; it is a matter of national survival. The President must put Nigeria’s safety above personal allegiances,” the statement concluded.
AYPN warned that inaction could further erode public trust in the government’s ability to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.
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