Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has alleged that President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, to step aside in order to pave the way for the appointment of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as the new Defence Minister.
Sowore made the claims in a statement posted on his Facebook page, sparking public debate about possible changes within Nigeria’s defence leadership.
According to Sowore, the President asked the Defence Minister to resign following concerns about the effectiveness of the ministry under his watch.
The activist asserted that the leadership vacuum in defence has contributed to persistent insecurity in many parts of the country, and that the President is now under significant pressure to introduce reforms.
He claimed that the planned appointment of General Musa signals a desire to reposition the defence sector for improved results.
In his remarks, Sowore also alleged that the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, may soon face similar pressure to leave his position.
He stated that the Nigerian government is being urged by both domestic and foreign partners to undertake a more decisive overhaul of its national security leadership.
Sowore went further to claim that authorities in the United States under President Donald Trump have expressed concerns about intelligence sharing and operational collaboration with Nigeria due to what he described as inefficiencies within the Ministry of Defence.
The activist’s comments have generated wide reactions across political, military and civil society circles.
While some Nigerians believe that the federal government must urgently restructure the defence sector to address rising insecurity, others have approached the claims with caution, insisting that personnel decisions in the ministry should not be based on speculation.
Government sources have not yet confirmed or denied the allegations.
Presidency officials have maintained silence on the matter and have advised the public to rely only on official statements.
The Ministry of Defence has also not issued any clarification.
The vacuum has allowed speculation to spread as citizens closely watch for signs of a major cabinet reshuffle.
Security analysts have noted that General Christopher Musa, who previously served as Chief of Defence Staff, is widely regarded as a disciplined and experienced officer with deep knowledge of counter terrorism operations.
Some analysts argue that his possible appointment could introduce new strategies into the nation’s security framework, especially at a time when various armed groups continue to expand across the country.
At the same time, critics of the administration argue that leadership changes alone may not be sufficient.
They contend that structural issues within the defence sector, ranging from inadequate funding to poor coordination among security agencies, must also be addressed for any reforms to be effective.
They note that Nigeria’s security challenges have outgrown traditional responses and now demand a completely new operational doctrine.
Sowore’s comments also reflect growing public frustration with insecurity.
Across several regions, citizens have raised concerns about rising incidents of kidnapping, banditry and terrorist attacks.
Many have called for more assertive leadership from the federal government and the military.
The allegations have also prompted discussions about the President’s approach to governance and his readiness to dismiss underperforming officials.
Some political observers believe that the possibility of a cabinet shakeup suggests that the administration may be responding to mounting pressure from both within and outside the ruling party.
As the public awaits an official statement, political tension has increased around the Ministry of Defence.
Insiders say that any significant change in defence leadership could have wide implications for national security strategy, military morale and Nigeria’s international partnerships.
Analysts expect that the government will eventually clarify its position in order to prevent misinformation from filling the gap.
Until then the allegations continue to dominate discussions across the country.
Observers believe that clarity from the presidency is essential to stabilise public confidence.
If the allegations prove accurate, it would mark one of the most significant cabinet changes of the Tinubu administration.
Such a development would also signal a potential shift in national security leadership at a time when Nigeria faces multiple threats that require strong coordination and decisive action.
