Political analyst and former All Progressives Congress, APC, spokesperson, Timi Frank, has cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against actions he described as the politicization of the Nigerian Army.
He warned Tinubu that abuse of military ranks could undermine democracy and national stability.
Frank expressed concern over reports of an alleged accelerated promotion of the President’s Aide-de-Camp, ADC, to the rank of Brigadier-General shortly after attaining the rank of Colonel.
In a statement issued on Monday, Frank said such a development, if confirmed, would amount to a serious breach of military tradition and professional standards.
“The Nigerian Army is not a personal guard of any president but a national institution governed by long-established rules and hierarchy,” he said, adding that senior military ranks are earned through years of service, sacrifice, training, and command experience, not political favor.
According to him, promotions carried out outside laid-down procedures could demoralize career officers, weaken command authority, and erode discipline within the armed forces.
Frank warned that the politicization of the military has historically fueled resentment and instability across Africa, citing recent coups in parts of West Africa as examples of the consequences of weakened civil-military relations.
He noted that even during military rule in Nigeria, the rank of general was treated with caution and respect, stressing that assigning or manipulating such ranks for personal or political reasons is alien to Nigeria’s democratic and military traditions.
While acknowledging the president’s role as commander-in-chief, Frank argued that constitutional authority must be exercised with restraint and respect for institutions.
“Being Commander-in-Chief is not a license to erode due process or professional norms,” he said.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot afford further weakening of its institutions,” Frank said, warning that undermining military tradition could dangerously incentivize coup plotting.
His reaction follows claims that the president recently promoted Colonel Nurudeen Yusuf, his Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the rank of Brigadier General.
You’re undermining national stability – Timi Frank warns Tinubu against politicizing military ranks.
