Adeleke, Gen Musa, Badaru, Ibas in the spotlight

From Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s dramatic exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the assumption of office of Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence and fresh ambassadorial nominations of Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas and Abdulrahman Dambazau, it has been a week packed with a lot of happenings.

Adeleke resigns from PDP

The Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, has resigned his membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as political parties in the state commence 2026 gubernatorial primaries.

This is coming barely 12 hours after the Osun State chairman of the PDP, Sunday Bisi, said Adeleke would not pick the party’s re-election ticket over a national leadership crisis.

A letter of resignation by Adeleke, dated November 4, 2025, was addressed to the PDP chairman of his ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, Ede.

The letter, titled “Resignation of my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party reads, “Due to the current crisis in the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my membership of the party with immediate effect.

“I thank the Peoples Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me on my elections as a senator (represented Osun West) and as governor of Osun State under the party.”

Gen. Musa assumes duty as Defence Minister

The newly appointed Minister of Defence and immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, on Friday assumed duty at the Ministry of Defence, Ship House, Abuja.

Musa, appointed on Tuesday by President Bola Tinubu following the resignation of former minister Muhammed Badaru, was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday.

His appointment, welcomed across various sectors, is expected to further strengthen defence operations, with many citing his record of firm and innovative leadership as defence chief between 2023 and 2025.

The new minister arrived at the ministry at about 11:10 am, inspected the quarter guard in line with military tradition, and exchanged pleasantries with service chiefs and top officials on arrival.

The Senate, on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd), as Nigeria’s new minister of defence following a rigorous five-hour screening by lawmakers.

During the confirmation hearing, Musa faced questions on the recent security lapses, including the withdrawal of troops from Government Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School, Maga in Kebbi State shortly before the abduction of schoolgirls on November 17. The incident sparked national outrage.

Musa assured the Senate that he would immediately set up a full-scale investigation into the troop withdrawal once he assumed office.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu subsequently swore him in as the new minister of defence. He took the oath of office on Thursday at the State House, Abuja.

Tinubu nominates Ibas, Dambazau as ambassadors

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a new batch of non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate.

The new nominees include the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State and former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former presidential aide, Ita Enang; former Imo State First Lady, Chioma Ohakim and former Minister of Interior and former Chief of Army Staff, Abdulrahman Dambazau.

The nominations were announced on Thursday during plenary after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the president’s letter on the floor of the chamber.

In the letter, Tinubu urged the Senate to give swift consideration to the nominees to help fill key diplomatic positions. Akpabio referred the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs with a directive to screen the nominees and report back within one week.

President Tinubu had earlier sent the names of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, days after he sent the first batch of three names.

Among them are a former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmud Yakubu, an aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri (Delta) and former Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Badaru resigns as defence minister

Within the week, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru resigned from his position as Nigeria’s defence minister, citing health reasons.

The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development in a statement released on Monday.

In his resignation letter, Badaru reportedly cited poor health as the reason for stepping down.

President Tinubu accepted his resignation and consequently appointed General Christopher Musa (retd) as his replacement. He thanked the minister for his service to the country.

His resignation came amid the president’s declaration of a national security emergency, with plans to elaborate on its scope in due course.

The former two-term governor of Jigawa State (2015–2023 was appointed defence minister on August 21, 2023.

His tenure recently drew criticism after an interview with BBC Hausa Service, in which he said some terrorists could not be attacked because their forest hideouts were too dense for bombs to reach.

Badaru had also said, “In this kind of war, from time to time there will be relief; sometimes they will do something that will shock everyone on the ground. I have heard some say that their whereabouts are known, and who they are.”

Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5 million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25 million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, click here to find out how it works.

Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.