Minister Dragged to Tinubu over Close Ties with Northern Opposition Leaders

A support group of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the APC Solidarity Vanguard, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and stop Minister of Defence Alhaji Muhammad Badaru from allegedly sabotaging the party.

The group claims Badaru, a former Governor of Jigawa State, has been engaging with top opposition stakeholders in the north.

According to the group, this development poses a significant threat to the APC.

Alhaji Salisu Yakubu, Chairman of the APC Solidarity Vanguard in Jigawa, in a statement on Monday morning, said Badaru’s actions are detrimental to the party’s interests, both nationally and at the state level.

“Just a few days ago, we read in the news that Badaru is not only engaging with members of the opposition from Jigawa State, he has also spread his tentacles to other states in the North East and North West, with constant meetings.

“A man who heads such a sensitive ministry like defence should be an upright man. With constant engagements with members of the opposition, we believe Badaru should not be trusted.

“We understand that, after elections or politics, comes governance, but we should be mindful of the fact that someone entrusted with such a sensitive position is not just an ordinary Nigerian that should be seen everywhere and with everyone.

“The enemies of Nigeria are still here and waiting endlessly to see that the Renewed Hope Agenda of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu fails.

“Security is the main focal point of this administration and the man who is spare heading the sector is grossly involved in anti-party activities and this could cost the President and the APC our 2027 elections.

“It was referenced in the said statement we read from the APC Support Group for the 2023 General Elections in Jigawa State; some notable northerners betrayed Goodluck Ebele Jonathan with anti-party activities, which cost him the reelection in 2015. They were given sensitive positions under Jonathan but were working secretly for Buhari.

“We don’t want a repeat of what happened to President Jonathan in 2015; that’s why we are begging our dear President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to quickly call Badaru to order.

“We in Jigawa State are fully for Asiwaju and APC and no amount of influence can change our mind. We stood by Asiwaju in 2023, even when the same elements, after meeting with a delegation from Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, wanted us to vote for the PDP presidential candidate. But we stood our ground”, the statement read in part.