Television Nigerian

Information on the abrupt departure of former Defense Minister Badaru Abubakar after just two years in office has surfaced.

Although Badaru stated that health issues were the cause for his resignation, sources suggest that a long-running cold war between him and Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, was a major factor.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu promptly appointed retired General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defense Staff, as the new Minister of Defense after Badaru formally resigned on Monday.

The President’s Special Advisor on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, acknowledged in a statement that Badaru’s resignation was due to ill health.

But according to Saturday Punch’s investigation, Badaru’s resignation was actually due to a long-standing disagreement with Matawalle.

After serving two terms as governor of Jigawa State, Badaru was appointed on August 21, 2023, mostly because of his administrative background and regional clout in the North West, an area beset by growing banditry and terrorism.

Badaru was supposed to concentrate on counterterrorism activities, intelligence reforms, and military modernization after being appointed.

In order to assist Badaru in carrying out defense programs, Matawalle was named the same day as the Minister of State for Defense.

But as the nation’s security situation deteriorated in recent weeks, tensions between the two men increased. The Defence Ministry was under tremendous strain due to the rise in terrorism and banditry as well as the widespread kidnappings of youngsters.

Public and international scrutiny increased as a result of the student abductions and the growing insecurity, particularly after President Tinubu declared a national security emergency.

Nigeria’s leadership is also under pressure from the international community, especially the Trump administration. Due to the widespread murders of Christians in Nigeria that were purportedly connected to terrorists, the United States re-designated the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” in late October.

As public indignation grew, some analysts and citizens started advocating for Badaru’s dismissal. He finally resigned on December 1st, citing health issues as the official reason, as a result of this pressure.

Behind-the-Scenes Tensions: Sources
According to many military insiders in the Defense Ministry who spoke with Saturday Punch, Badaru’s departure was a result of his tense relationship with Matawalle rather than just health issues.

The two ministers had a friendly public relationship, but their private meetings were tense, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Although they seemed to get along well in public, Matawalle and Badaru had a chilly relationship for the most of his tenure as minister. However, the official stated, “It is a known fact here that they had something against themselves.”

He claimed that certain facets of the ministry’s operations, such as media coordination, were impacted by the conflict.

Part of their work was impacted by this. Do you think the media unit is coordinated, even as a journalist? Was it operating in this manner prior to their arrival?

“It should not have happened in the first place to pair the two as ministers,” he continued.

According to a second military source, Matawale was thought to have a close relationship with the president and was starting to take control of the ministry.

According to the source, several All Progressives Congress party leaders saw Matawale as a political asset for the current administration, especially in the country’s northwest.

Matawale has a significant political influence in Zamfara State, where he is a native. For the 2027 election, the APC leaders saw him as a valuable asset. Thus, they consistently support him. He has connections and political support.

But politically, Badaru is weak. When it comes to politics and power struggles, the president does not really take him into consideration, the insider clarified.

The final burial rites of Ogaba Oyi Api were held in a colourful and memorable ceremony that drew family members, friends, well-wishers, and members of the wider community. The event, which took place over the weekend, was marked by unity, heartfelt tributes, and cultural displays that reflected the rich traditions of the family.

The ceremony was made exceptionally remarkable by the joint efforts of Okanga’s sisters and brothers, whose coordination and support ensured that every aspect of the burial was beautifully executed. Their contributions brought a sense of order, warmth, and honour to the proceedings, turning the solemn occasion into a celebration of a life well lived.

Guests described the burial as “well-organized, peaceful, and culturally vibrant,” with many commending the Okanga family for standing together to give Ogaba Oyi Api a dignified farewell. Traditional rites, hymns, and emotional speeches highlighted the impact the deceased had on the community, especially in the areas of kindness, leadership, and family values.

Community leaders and relatives also offered words of comfort, urging the family to remain united and to preserve the legacy of love and integrity Ogaba Oyi Api embodied during his lifetime.

As the ceremony came to a close, the atmosphere was filled with gratitude, reflection, and hope. The Okanga family expressed appreciation to everyone who attended or supported the burial in any way.

Ogaba Oyi Api may have departed, but his memory lives on in the hearts of those he touched.

General Christopher Musa (retd.), a recently appointed Minister of Defense and former Chief of Defense Staff, formally took up his duties at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Ship House, Abuja, on Friday.

At around 11:10 a.m., Musa arrived at the ministry, where he was greeted with full military honors and, in accordance with custom, inspected the quarter guard. The Senate confirmed Musa’s appointment on Thursday after President Bola Tinubu nominated him.

Days after former minister Muhammad Badaru resigned, the appointment was made.

The former CDS met behind closed doors with the ministry’s directors and service leaders upon his arrival.

In the meantime, Musa has reassured Nigerians that the Federal Government’s updated security plans will produce noticeable outcomes as soon as possible.

Shortly after President Tinubu administered the oath of office at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, Musa made the assurance.

Speaking to reporters following the event, the minister stated that strengthening cooperation between all security agencies and reforming the country’s defense system are his top priorities.

“Making sure that defense takes its place fully in the country is my immediate priority,” Musa said.

Noting that “security is everybody’s responsibility,” he emphasized the necessity of cooperation between the military and other security agencies.

General Musa expressed hope that improved coordination and collaboration will expedite the nation’s security concerns.

“We must develop and work on that synergy, and that is what we will do. Nigerians will witness results in the shortest amount of time, I promise,” he declared.

Dr. Ebojele Akhere Patrick has been appointed by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo to succeed Mr. Fred Itua as Chief Press Secretary.

According to reports, Musa Ikhilor, the Secretary to the State Government, made the news in a statement on Thursday.

Itua will wait for a new post to be announced in due course, according to the statement.

His efforts and contributions throughout his term were acknowledged by the state government.

The statement claims that Ebojele is a well-known journalist with a long history in the media.

According to the statement, “The new appointment reflects commitment of the present administration to strengthen and deepen the communication channels between the government and the people of Edo State, ensuring clarity, transparency, and effective dissemination of Government policies, programs, and activities.”

Dr. Ebojele has worked as an Edo/Delta Correspondent for Channels Television and as a correspondent for New Nigerian Newspaper, Champion Newspaper, and Comet Newspapers, among other respectable Nigerian media outlets.

“He will take over from Mr. Fred Itua, who will wait for a new assignment to be announced in due time after handover. The government thanks Mr. Itua for his service and achievements.

The Department of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), sometimes referred to as Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), has announced that it will appeal a Court of Appeal ruling that prohibited its officers from stopping cars, enforcing penalties, or seizing vehicles belonging to traffic violators.

Deborah Osho, the DRTS’s acting director, revealed this in an interview with Punch on Thursday after the appeal court upheld a Federal High Court verdict.

The VIO’s appeal was denied by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday due to its lack of substance. In a unanimous finding, the three-member tribunal upheld the October 16, 2024 decision that forbade VIO officers from harassing drivers.

The lead judge, Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, determined that the lower court’s decision could not be overturned.

Osho responded by characterizing the decision as harmful to public order and stating that the department would not give up on trying to overturn it.

“We will definitely appeal,” she stated. As a correspondent, are you aware of the current events in the city? Do you not notice how filthy the city is? Take a peek at Airport Road, which is now essentially a one-way street.

Osho bemoaned the Federal Capital Territory’s increasing disdain for traffic laws, attributing it to the DRTS’s incapacity to police adherence.

“If you give them a ticket, they won’t come to pay, but you can’t enforce or impound.” What would you like us to do? “It’s not humorous,” she remarked.

Despite alternative enforcement tactics including computerized ticketing, she disclosed that drivers owing over ₦409 million in unpaid traffic fines.

We don’t even impound in that manner. She said, “If you commit an offense, you are already captured and your bill will be sent to you regardless of whether you accept it or not.”

“Have you ever seen anywhere in the world where traffic is well coordinated without enforcement, and you think it will go well?” said the head of DRTS, arguing that good traffic management is impossible without severe enforcement.

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra, filed a motion ex parte to be relocated from the Sokoto Correctional Facility. The Federal High Court in Abuja scheduled the hearing for December 8.

On November 20, 2025, Kanu was found guilty of all seven counts of terrorist charges that the Federal Government had sought against him. He was given a life sentence.

Kanu was moved to the Sokoto Correctional Facility after receiving his sentence because the court was concerned about his safety and noted that the Kuje Correctional Facility might not be appropriate for him because of prior jail breaches that had been documented there.

Kanu chose to defend himself and cut ties with his legal team before to the verdict.

He was informed by Justice Omotosho that he was unable to move such an application.

Justice Omotosho declared, “You are not a lawyer, so you cannot move this ex parte motion on the convict’s behalf.”

Emmanuel was instructed to either hire a lawyer or seek assistance from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria by the court, who insisted that only a professional could make the motion.

“I did not mean his (Kanu’s) father, brother, sister, or relatives when I said representation.” I refer to his advice.

“In the interest of fairness, I won’t discuss the merits of this application right now, but you can only represent a corporate entity if you are not a lawyer. You cannot represent a human being.

Since you are not a lawyer nor a solicitor of the Nigerian Supreme Court, you are unable to move the application.

It will take you an additional six years or more to become qualified as a lawyer. Thus, hire legal counsel to forward the application, the judge stated.

Justice Omotosho stated that Kanu will be accommodated even if there were matters on the docket on Monday when Emmanuel asked for the next postponement date.

Emmanuel said, “Thank you, sir.”

The judge advised against deceiving the public about Kanu’s method of compiling his appeal record.
Contrary to a statement made by Aloy Ejimakor, one of Kanu’s previous attorneys who was later hired as a consultant, Justice Omotosho stated that the convict did not have to be in court in order for his record to be completed.

“Let me give you general advice so that the process doesn’t become delayed. Regarding the appeal, I can’t act as though I don’t belong to society. In order to create his record, Mr. Ejimakor allowed an interview in which he discussed the defendant’s (Kanu) deprivation. That’s a false belief. To create a record, the defendant might not be present in court.

“His presence is not necessary, but his representative’s presence might be. Justice Omotosho pointed out that a defendant’s rights differ from those of a convicted person.

Additionally, when Justice Omotosho asked the attorneys in attendance if Kanu’s participation was necessary before his record could be assembled, they said that it wasn’t.

The judge advised Emmanuel once more to choose an experienced attorney, adding that any attorney who is egregiously deficient in appellate procedure ought to cease deceiving the public.

“I believe it’s time to confront the correct viewpoint. “Adequate legal counsel is essential,” he stated.

The judge postponed the hearing of the ongoing application until December 8 after declining to grant Emmanuel audience.

Kanu requested an order in the ex parte motion he personally signed stating that the motion should be deemed moved in absentia and in accordance with the application because he was unable to be present in court or chambers to personally move it.

Additionally, he requested an order for the Nigerian Correctional Service and/or the Federal Government “to forthwith transfer him from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial facility within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”

In order to enable the applicant to successfully pursue his constitutionally protected right of appeal, he further requested an order moving him to the court’s “immediate environs, such as the Suleja or the Keffi Custodial Center.”

Kanu claimed, citing eight grounds in the application designated FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, that he was found guilty and given a life sentence on November 20. The judge also ordered his confinement in any Nigerian correctional facility other than Kuje.

The applicant was moved to the Sokoto Correctional Facility on November 21, 2025, and is still being held there more than 700 kilometers from Abuja.

“The applicant plans to personally use his constitutional right of appeal against the conviction and punishment; he is not currently represented by counsel.

“The applicant must personally interact with the Registry of this Honourable Court and the Court of Appeal in Abuja in order to prepare the notice of appeal and the record of appeal.”

“All persons critical to assisting the applicant in preparing his appeal, including his relatives, associates, and legal consultants, are based in Abuja,” the motion added.

“In violation of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the applicant’s continued detention in Sokoto renders his constitutional right to appeal impracticable, causing exceptional hardship and potentially defeating the said right,” he stated.

Kanu contended that moving him to a facility close to Abuja so he could successfully pursue his appeal would be in the best interests of justice.