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Defence Minister Resigns, Tinubu Set to Name Successor

Nigeria's Defence Minister, Badaru Abubakar, has resigned citing health reasons, prompting President Bola Tinubu to begin the search for a new head of the military at a critical moment for the nation's security.

President Bola Tinubu has accepted the immediate resignation of his Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, with plans to name a replacement this week. The former two-term Governor of Jigawa State submitted his resignation on health grounds in a letter dated December 1st.

The sudden departure was announced Monday evening by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. "President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his services to the nation," the statement read, adding that the Senate would likely be informed of a successor later this week.

Abubakar's exit comes at a highly sensitive time for the administration, which recently declared a nationwide security emergency in response to rising violence. The former minister, 63, had faced persistent criticism from some analysts who argued he was unfit for the role, even as the President rolled out new security measures including the recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers.

Hours before the resignation was made public, President Tinubu held a private meeting with the recently retired Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.). The purpose of the meeting was not disclosed, but it has fueled immediate speculation about the front-runners to lead the crucial ministry at a time of intense national focus on security.

The swift move to name a successor underscores the administration's urgency to maintain momentum in its security strategy amid ongoing challenges. 

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