ABUJA — Political activist and former APC official, Comrade Timi Frank, has issued a grave warning, asserting that alleged political interference in military promotions risks destabilizing Nigeria’s democracy and could create conditions that tempt military interventions.
The warning centers on reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a special, accelerated promotion for his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Colonel Nurudeen Yusuf, to the rank of Brigadier-General just months after his last elevation. The Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
A Breach of Tradition and a Threat to Stability
In a strongly-worded statement, Frank described the reported promotion as “deeply troubling and unacceptable,” framing it as a dangerous politicization of a national institution.
“The Nigerian Army is not a personal guard unit of any President,” Frank stated. “Senior military ranks…are earned through years of service, sacrifice, command experience, rigorous training and competitive assessments. They are not political rewards.”
He argued that such actions demoralize career officers, erode institutional cohesion, and weaken the professional command structure. Most severely, Frank linked the move to the recent wave of coups across West Africa.
“Across West Africa today, we are witnessing the consequences of weakened civil-military relations,” Frank said, citing Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger as examples where the abuse of institutions preceded military takeovers.
Conflicting Reports Amid Official Silence
The promotion’s validity remains unconfirmed. It stems from a purported December 2025 letter from the office of the National Security Adviser conveying presidential approval. However, military insiders and experts are divided.
Critics point to established promotion guidelines. A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that an officer typically must serve four years as a Colonel before being eligible for promotion to Brigadier-General. Retired General Ishola Williams also questioned the move, stating that an ADC’s role is typically a two-year tour before returning to regular regiment duties.
Conversely, some have cited historical exceptions. Retired Brigadier-General Bashir Adewinbi referenced the case of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, who was promoted from Lieutenant-Colonel to Brigadier-General, suggesting accelerated promotions are not without precedent for exceptional service.
Calls for Clarification and Broader Implications
Frank has called for immediate action from the Presidency, demanding a public clarification on the legal basis for the promotion, its suspension if it violates guidelines, and a commitment to end the “personalisation of state power.”
This controversy emerges against a complex backdrop. Just days prior, President Tinubu was praised at an ECOWAS summit for Nigeria’s role in helping to thwart a coup attempt in the Benin Republic. Critics now highlight a perceived contradiction between advocating for democratic stability abroad while facing allegations of undermining professional military norms at home.
As the debate continues, the silence from official Army channels has only heightened scrutiny, leaving unanswered questions about protocol, precedent, and the principles governing Nigeria’s armed forces.
