President Bola Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Badaru Abubakar, Nigeria’s Defence Minister, who resigned his appointment, with immediate effect.

Bayo Onanuga, Presidential Spokesman, said in a statement on Monday that Abubakar’s resignation letter, dated December 1, was sent to President Tinubu. He said the minister cited health reasons for his decision.

According to him, “President Tinubu 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.”

Badaru Abubakar, 63, served as a two-term governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023. He was appointed a minister on August 21, 2023, by President Tinubu.

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His resignation comes amid President Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency, with plans to elaborate on its scope in due course.