Sowore also claimed that the FG is under pressure to relieve the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of his duties.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Human rights activist and chieftain of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has countered the claim by the presidency that the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, resigned his appointment on health grounds, insisting he was forced out by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Sowore made this known on Monday night in a now-trending post he shared on his official Facebook page.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had claimed Badaru cited health issues in his resignation letter.
In a post shared via his X handle, Onanuga wrote, “Nigeria’s defence minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned his appointment, with immediate effect.
“In a letter dated December 1, sent to President Bola Tinubu, Abubakar said he was quitting on health grounds.”
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Defence Minister, Badaru steps down
However, while reacting to the news, Sowore claimed that the Minister was asked to resign to pave the way for the appointment of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as Defence Minister.
He said Abubakar “was asked by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step aside to make room for former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to be appointed Defence Minister.”
Sowore went on to allege that the Nigerian government is also under pressure from the U.S. government to relieve the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of his duties.
“There are also strong indications that US President Donald Trump’s United States military is pressing for the removal of the equally ineffective and utterly useless Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, citing serious concerns over intelligence sharing and collaboration”, he added.
