US Pressure Triggers Calls for Matawalle’s Sack as Tinubu Faces Tough Defence Shake-Up

US Pressure Triggers Calls for Matawalle’s Sack as Tinubu Faces Tough Defence Shake-Up

Fresh pressure is mounting on President Bola Tinubu to remove the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

This, according to a new report by SaharaReporters, followed the sudden resignation of Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar — a development reportedly linked to demands from the United States.

Multiple senior government sources told SaharaReporters that Washington made it clear it would not advance security cooperation with Nigeria unless both Badaru and Matawalle were removed from the defence leadership structure.

“There is pressure on Tinubu to remove Matawalle as well,” a top official confirmed. “The US insisted that both Badaru and Matawalle be replaced before any serious collaboration with Nigeria can proceed.”

Badaru’s resignation, officially announced Monday, has intensified speculation about a looming overhaul of the defence ministry. He reportedly stepped down on health grounds in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to President Tinubu. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed that Tinubu accepted the resignation and expressed gratitude for Badaru’s service.

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However, security insiders say the resignation was not entirely voluntary.

Earlier on Monday, SaharaReporters revealed that former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, met with President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa — his first official engagement with the President since his retirement on October 24, 2025. Sources said Tinubu informed Musa during the meeting that he would take over as Defence Minister.

Presidency officials expect the President to forward Musa’s nomination to the Senate before the end of the week.

Badaru, 63, previously served two terms as governor of Jigawa State before joining Tinubu’s cabinet in August 2023.

The political tensions come amid renewed friction between Nigeria and the United States after Washington redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over allegations of widespread religious persecution, particularly against Christians.

In response, Nigeria dispatched a delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to Washington for consultations. Both sides have since agreed to pursue joint mechanisms to address insecurity and human rights issues.

The CPC designation — previously applied in 2020 and lifted in 2021 — was reinstated following claims of severe violations of religious freedom and accusations that extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP are responsible for mass killings of Christians in the country.

Nigerian authorities have rejected the “genocide” narrative, insisting that such portrayals distort the complex security situation and undermine ongoing efforts to restore stability.

 

US Pressure Triggers Calls for Matawalle’s Sack as Tinubu Faces Tough Defence Shake-Up