President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Defence Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down from his post with immediate effect citing health concerns.

Badaru, in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to the President, said his decision became necessary to attend to his health. The former Jigawa State governor had served in the federal cabinet since August 2023.

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development in a statement last night, noting that President Tinubu thanked the outgoing minister for his “services and contributions to national security” during his tenure.

The President is expected to communicate a replacement to the Senate later this week, authoritative sources said.

Badaru’s exit comes at a sensitive time for the administration, barely days after President Tinubu declared a national security emergency and hinted at unveiling a comprehensive framework to tackle mounting security challenges across the country.

Badaru, 63, served two terms as governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023 before joining the federal executive council.

The Presidency said details of the national security emergency and next steps will be announced in due course.