The Arewa Action Group (AAG), a civil advocacy coalition based in Kaduna, has called for the immediate removal of Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, citing worsening insecurity across northern Nigeria and accusing him of gross incompetence and lack of strategic direction.

 

In a strongly worded statement signed by its president, Comrade Ibrahim Adamu Bature, the group declared that for all intents and purposes, the Ministry of Defence has become leaderless.

 

“For all practical purposes, the office of the Minister of Defence is vacant,” Bature stated. “Mr. Badaru has not shown any strategic seriousness or political coordination required to confront the scale of insecurity Nigeria is currently facing.”

 

 

 

The group expressed deep frustration over the Minister’s perceived failure to provide a security roadmap, saying his lack of presence and leadership has left military and intelligence agencies operating in silos, with no cohesive national strategy.

 

AAG noted that while President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated a willingness to improve the country’s security through increased funding and regional collaboration, these gains are being undermined by “absent and passive” civilian leadership in the Defence Ministry.

 

The coalition listed Sokoto, Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger, Plateau, and Borno as some of the states worst affected by a sharp increase in terrorist attacks, banditry, and insurgency.

 

“There is no political leadership at the top of the Defence Ministry. What we are seeing is a Ministry reduced to the execution of fencing contracts and furniture procurement, not one fit for the battlefield,” the statement read.

 

 

 

The group passed a vote of no confidence on Minister Badaru, warning that continued silence and inaction would erode public trust in the government and lower morale among both soldiers and civilians.

 

AAG urged President Tinubu to immediately appoint a competent, strategic-minded leader to head the Defence Ministry—someone capable of aligning military efforts with civilian expectations and commanding respect within the security architecture.

 

“Nigeria is at war. This is not the time for trial-and-error leadership. We call on Mr. President to put the interest of Nigerians above politics,” Bature concluded.