The Pain, Truth, and the Politics Behind Tinubu’s Service Chiefs Reshuffle"

“The Pain, Truth, and the Politics Behind Tinubu’s Service Chiefs Reshuffle”

By Speaker Jethro Daniel

October 26, 2025.

As a proud son of Southern Kaduna, I write this with a heavy heart — not out of hate or bitterness, but out of deep pain and disappointment about president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent reshuffling of the Service Chiefs which has unfortunately, confirmed what many Nigerians have been saying all along — that his government has a dangerous tilt toward tribalism.

When President Tinubu announced that he was removing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other service chiefs in a bid to “strengthen Nigeria’s security,” I wanted to believe him, i wanted to believe that he was acting in the best interest of our country, but then, I asked myself: If it is truly about strengthening the security architecture, why replace General Musa with another Yoruba man — General Olufemi Oluyede, who was the Chief of Army Staff? What logic supports this move? Is president Tinubu telling us that General Oluyede outperformed General Musa? Or is this just another case of “my people first”?

The double standard becomes even clearer when you look at the Inspector General of Police, who, despite being due for retirement, has had his tenure extended — Nigerians have complained about that, but the President turned a deaf ear. Why was he spared while others were dropped? Is it because he, too, is Yoruba? These are painful but necessary questions that must be asked if we truly care about fairness and justice in this country.

If this reshuffle was genuinely about performance, then I dare say — President Tinubu hasn’t even started the real cleansing. Because anyone who has followed General Christopher Musa’s career knows that he is one of the finest officers this country has produced. He is disciplined, intelligent, and deeply patriotic.

In short, If there’s a word stronger than qualified, that’s what he is. His leadership as Chief of Defence Staff brought professionalism and renewed hope to the Armed Forces. Removing such a man is not just unfair — it is a disservice to Nigeria.

What breaks my heart even more is how some of my brothers from Southern Kaduna have politicized General Musa’s appointment then. When he was first appointed, some of them said it was proof that Southern Kaduna’s votes should belong to Tinubu — that the President had “remembered us.” I told them then, and I’ll say it again now:

General Musa’s appointment was not political; it was based on merit. Even if it were political, this is not the first time our region has produced top military leaders. During the PDP era, we had a Chief of Defence Staff, chief of Army Staff, and Naval Staff (twice ) — yet nobody made noise or used it as an excuse to sell our conscience, in short some see it as a most to give Tinubu our votes in 2027 because of the appointment, and once you disagree with that, you are tagged an “Enemy”.

Some of our people even used General Musa’s appointment to justify joining the APC. Now that he’s been removed, what will they say? Will they still cling to the party, or will they see the truth — that integrity matters more than political affiliation? One thing I have learned in life is that integrity is everything. Once you become known as someone who switches sides whenever it benefits you, people stop taking you serious. Your name loses value. And in politics, as in life, when integrity dies, respect dies with it.

To my dear elder brother, General Christopher Musa — I salute you with pride and gratitude. You served your fatherland with honor and gave your all to protect this nation. You carried your duties with dignity, even when politics tried to stain your name. You have done your part. Nigeria may not always celebrate her true heroes immediately, but history has a long memory. May the Almighty God bless you, reward you, and give you peace.

Now we have General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General W. as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, and Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retaining his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence. We can only hope that this new team will rise above politics and serve Nigeria with genuine commitment.

But for now, let’s call a spade what it is — not what we wish it to be. The reshuffling of the Service Chiefs was not about performance. It was not about national interest. It was another reminder that in today’s Nigeria, tribe and loyalty to power still come before merit and patriotism.

I love my country deeply, and I believe we can still rise above these divisions. But first, we must speak the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it is. President Tinubu’s latest decision has left a sour taste in the mouths of many Nigerians — especially those of us from the North who believed that fairness would guide his actions. For now, we can only watch, pray, and hope that one day, merit will matter more than tribe, and integrity will count more than connections.

Until then, we will keep speaking truth to power — because silence in the face of injustice is also a form of betrayal.

Respectfully,