A public affairs analyst has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of reshuffling Nigeria’s military leadership out of political self-preservation rather than genuine concern for the nation’s deteriorating security situation.
Mahdi Shehu, in a scathing critique posted on his official 𝕏 handle on Saturday, alleged that the President’s decision to appoint new service chiefs was motivated by fear following unconfirmed reports of a coup plot, rather than the persistent violence ravaging communities across the country.
Opening his critique with a biblical reference, Shehu quoted James 3:16, stating: “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
The analyst argued that the scripture aptly captured what he described as Tinubu’s true motivations. “The scriptural references to man’s selfishness are well narrated and documented with visible confirmation by man himself. Man’s greed and insatiable economic desires give further credence to his infinite capacity for selfishness,” Shehu wrote.
Central to Shehu’s criticism was the President’s alleged indifference to widespread violence until his own political position appeared threatened. “The ongoing wanton killings nationwide did not prick Tinubu’s conscience to rejig his security architecture,” he stated emphatically.
The analyst catalogued numerous incidents of violence that failed to prompt action from the presidency, including killings and destroyed villages across Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Yobe, Borno, Benue, Taraba, Kogi, and Nasarawa States. According to Shehu, these tragedies were insufficient to compel changes in military leadership.
“But the moment his brand of democracy came under what was officially denied yet unofficially confirmed as a coup, he acted swiftly and panicky,” Shehu added, describing the military shake-up as “a coup shrouded in darkness.”
The public affairs commentator suggested that the President only became decisive when his political survival was at stake, contrasting this with what he characterized as inaction on security and economic matters affecting ordinary Nigerians.
Shehu extended his criticism to the President’s handling of the economy, questioning why the economic team remains intact despite widespread hardship. “With 139 million Nigerians facing abject poverty and hunger, and other gory economic failures, Tinubu is yet to sack his economic team,” he stated, referring to the team as “wizardly.”
The criticism follows President Tinubu’s announcement on Friday of a comprehensive military leadership overhaul. According to a statement by the President’s media aide, Sunday Dare, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede was appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa, alongside other new service chiefs across the Armed Forces.
The presidency had described the reshuffle as a strategic move to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture, with Tinubu charging the new appointees to “strengthen professionalism, vigilance, and unity” in their service to the nation.
However, Shehu’s allegations have added a contentious dimension to the military shake-up, raising questions about the timing and motivation behind the leadership changes at a time when Nigeria grapples with multifaceted security challenges.
