Analyst Says Tinubu’s Military Reshuffle Was Triggered By Coup Panic, Not Genuine Concern For Nigeria’s Failing Security

 

Public affairs analyst Mahdi Shehu has sharply criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent overhaul of Nigeria’s military leadership, arguing that the president’s motive was not the country’s soaring insecurity but rather a bid to safeguard his political survival. He accused the president of carrying out the reshuffle of the service chiefs out of fear of a possible coup and not out of genuine concern for the killings and violence ravaging many states.

Shehu made his position known through a post on his official X account, where he drew a connection between Tinubu’s actions and the biblical reference in James 3:16, which speaks about envy, selfish ambition, and the resulting disorder. He said the verse perfectly explains the nature of man’s greed and selfishness, qualities that he believes the president demonstrated in his decision to remove the military chiefs.

The analyst wrote that the countless massacres, kidnappings, and destruction of villages in states such as Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Yobe, and Borno did not move the president to act. According to him, the persistent loss of lives and property across the nation was not enough reason for Tinubu to change the leadership of the armed forces.

Shehu added that even the frequent attacks in Benue, Taraba, Kogi, and Nasarawa states did not trigger a response. Yet, the moment reports emerged about a possible coup, the president suddenly took action. To him, this proves that the decision was rooted in fear and political anxiety rather than in the desire to restore peace or security.

He wrote that what he called an “officially denied yet unofficially confirmed” coup rumour was enough to cause panic within the presidency. In his words, Tinubu’s quick move to replace the service chiefs was a reaction to protect his seat of power and not to protect Nigerians.

The analyst further criticised the president for ignoring the country’s deepening economic crisis while maintaining what he described as a “wizardly economic team”. Shehu said it was worrying that even as millions of Nigerians continue to face poverty and hunger, the government has refused to hold those responsible for economic planning accountable. He described this as further evidence of the selfishness and political survivalism that guide the administration’s decisions.

Last Friday, the president announced a major shake-up in the country’s security structure, removing several service chiefs and appointing new ones. Among the changes was the appointment of General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.

While the presidency maintained that the decision was taken to inject new energy and direction into the military, critics like Mahdi Shehu insist that the timing of the reshuffle betrays a different motive. He argued that Tinubu’s actions are driven by personal insecurity rather than the safety of citizens.

Shehu concluded by describing the move as a “coup shrouded in darkness”, saying it leaves Nigerians with more questions than answers. He expressed the view that Tinubu’s pattern of leadership shows that self-preservation often outweighs national interest, even when failures are evident.

He wrote that man’s greed and selfish instincts remain visible in leadership decisions, and Tinubu’s reshuffle only reaffirms that notion. As the newly appointed service chiefs take office, Nigerians are left to watch whether the move will bring any real change to the country’s failing security system or simply mark another episode of political maneuvering aimed at protecting the throne rather than the people.