There seems to be moves by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to name the immediate-past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa (rtd), as Defence Minister to replace Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, who just tendered his resignation letter to the President.
Mohammed Abubakar resigned from his appointment on Monday and it was with immediate effect. The resignation came amid rising abductions in parts of North, especially Kwara, Kogi, Kebbi and Niger States respectively by bandits/terrorists.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said Mr Abubakar, “In a letter dated December 1, sent to President Bola Tinubu,” said he was quitting on health grounds.
“President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his services to the nation.
“President Tinubu will likely inform the Senate of Badaru’s successor later this week.
“His resignation comes amid President Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency, with plans to elaborate on its scope in due course,” Mr Onanuga stated
However, Christopher Musa from Northern Kaduna, who was tough on insurgents, bandits and terrorists as well as maintaining a strong opposition to negotiation with the violent criminal elements, met with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday night, raising expectations that the meeting might be a step towards preparing him for a new assignment after retiring from office late October this year.
The Daily Crucible reports that Gen. Musa was seen at the State House at about a few minutes past 7pm being led into the President’s office area.
The details of the meeting were yet to be made public but the former CDS is meeting President Tinubu for the first time since leaving office on October 24, 2025.
However, it has become a worrisome to Nigerians the increasing terrorism and banditry in the northern parts of Nigeria requiring decisive steps to stem the tide.
President Tinubu’s swift move of declaring a national security emergency on the matter is seen as bold and commendable step. 
Earlier, he Service Chiefs were recently replaced, which served as a pointer to what is expected in the Defense Ministry. .
