Former All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson, Timi Frank, has raised serious concerns over reports alleging the rapid promotion of President Bola Tinubu’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Colonel Nurudeen Yusuf, to the rank of Brigadier-General shortly after he attained the rank of colonel.
In a statement released on Monday, Frank cautioned President Tinubu against what he described as the growing politicisation of the Nigerian Army, warning that such actions could have grave consequences for democracy, institutional integrity, and national stability.
Frank stressed that the Nigerian Army is a professional national institution, not a personal security outfit for any individual, including the president. According to him, the military operates under strict traditions, procedures, and hierarchical structures that must be respected to preserve discipline and morale within the armed forces.
He warned that promotions carried out outside established guidelines could demoralise long-serving officers, weaken command structures, and erode respect for authority within the military. Such actions, he said, risk creating internal resentment that could destabilise the armed forces.
Drawing lessons from recent developments across West Africa, Frank noted that the politicisation of the military has often contributed to breakdowns in civil-military relations, sometimes culminating in coups and prolonged instability. He argued that weakening professional standards within the armed forces has historically been a catalyst for unrest in many African countries.
Frank further observed that even during Nigeria’s years under military rule, senior ranks—particularly the rank of general—were treated with caution and reverence. He emphasized that manipulating or bestowing such ranks for personal loyalty or political convenience runs contrary to Nigeria’s democratic values and long-standing military traditions.
While acknowledging that the president holds constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Frank maintained that such power must be exercised responsibly. He argued that constitutional authority does not grant license to bypass due process or undermine professional norms within critical national institutions.
“Being Commander-in-Chief does not translate into the freedom to disregard institutional rules or established military procedures,” Frank stated, adding that Nigeria’s democracy is already fragile and cannot withstand further erosion of its core institutions.
He concluded by warning that undermining military professionalism could unintentionally encourage discontent within the ranks and create conditions that incentivise coup plotting—an outcome Nigeria can ill afford.
Frank’s comments follow public claims that President Tinubu recently approved the promotion of his ADC, Colonel Nurudeen Yusuf, to the rank of Brigadier-General, a move that has sparked debate and concern among political observers and security analysts.
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