Badaru served Nigeria with passion, dedication — Jigawa APC group defends ex-minister

The immediate past Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, has been hailed as a patriot and exemplary leader who served Nigeria with unwavering commitment throughout his tenure.

Badaru, a former governor of Jigawa State, recently resigned from his position as Defence Minister. Reacting to his exit, the Jigawa APC Integrity Group, led by its convener, Comrade Auwalu Shuaibu Gumel, addressed a press conference on Wednesday in Dutse, commending his distinguished performance in handling national security, despite coming from a civilian background.

Comrade Gumel highlighted Badaru’s deep understanding of the complexities of social conflict and his passion for securing the country, qualities he said were instrumental to his success in office.

“H.E. Badaru Abubakar, no doubt, performed exceptionally well in the area of security. His passion for the job and his grasp of social strife dynamics fully prepared him for the task,” Gumel stated.

He recalled that similar smear campaigns were launched against Badaru during his time in office, noting that the former minister’s impactful work often attracted criticism from detractors.

Gumel dismissed as malicious and unpatriotic the claims suggesting a disagreement between Badaru and the Presidency over alleged US plans to invade northern Nigeria. He clarified that Badaru personally communicated the reasons for his resignation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Some elements, especially faceless groups with political motives, have been throwing jabs at H.E. Badaru,” he said.

The Jigawa APC group emphasized that there is no rift between President Tinubu and Badaru, stressing that the former minister remains firmly committed to Nigeria’s peace and security and continues to support the President’s success.

According to Gumel, Badaru remains a strong believer in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is dedicated to supporting his administration even outside government.

He also praised Badaru’s legacy in several critical sectors. Gumel noted consistent progress in the fight against banditry and terrorism, attributing these gains to Badaru’s leadership and focus on good governance.

“Beyond security, Badaru significantly boosted the agricultural sector by promoting it as a key economic driver and enhancing local revenue generation. These achievements marked major areas of impact during his tenure,” he added.

Gumel further highlighted advancements in military strategy, improved local production in the defence sector, and strengthened regional security cooperation accomplishments he said solidified Badaru’s legacy of stability.

The group expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for entrusting one of their own with such an important national responsibility.