A viral video showing a parade honouring Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, has caused a wave of controversy in Nigeria, with the military quickly distancing itself from the incident. The footage, which shows Seyi Tinubu being presented with a presidential honour while inspecting what appears to be a military-like guards parade, has raised serious concerns over the legitimacy of the event and the personnel involved.
The Nigerian military, through Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, its Director of Defence Information, has firmly denied any involvement in the parade, stating that the personnel in the video do not belong to the Nigerian Armed Forces. Gusau categorically pointed out that the uniforms and badges of rank worn by the personnel in the video do not match those of the Nigerian military.
“These are not our personnel,” Gusau told The PUNCH in an interview. “We don’t dress that way. We don’t have this type of badge of rank. We don’t know them.”
The parade, which featured individuals in military-like attire armed with firearms, has sparked widespread debate online, with many questioning the integrity of the event and the use of military symbolism by a civilian group. The military’s response has been swift, and it is clear that they want to distance themselves from what they describe as an improper display.
The Role of the “Nigeria Cadet Network”
In the wake of the incident, a group calling itself the Community Auxiliary Development and Effective Transformation Network has claimed responsibility for organising the parade. The group, which had previously remained largely unknown, has now come under intense scrutiny as accusations mount about its legitimacy and objectives.
The parade, according to the organisers, was intended to honor the president’s son, but the display has raised serious concerns about the manipulation of military symbols and the inappropriate use of firearms. Critics have pointed to the name “Cadet Network” as a deliberate attempt to associate the group with the Nigerian military, an institution with a long-standing tradition of discipline and respect for authority.
The name “Cadet” is commonly used to refer to young recruits in military training, but it appears that the “Nigeria Cadet Network” is not an officially recognized entity within the Nigerian Armed Forces. Further investigation by experts revealed that the group is not legally registered, raising questions about its true intentions and its ability to carry out such an elaborate public display.
Atiku Abubakar Calls for Investigation
The controversy surrounding the parade has not gone unnoticed by Nigeria’s political elite. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has been a vocal critic of the current administration, has called for an immediate investigation into the event. Atiku, through his media advisor Paul Ibe, expressed outrage over the incident, describing it as a gross violation of military traditions.
“It is with utter dismay and concern that Nigerians were subjected to a nauseating video circulating online, where a group of young men, armed and in full military procession, bestowed upon the President’s son unwarranted military honours,” Atiku’s statement read.
Atiku’s condemnation of the event highlights the deepening political divide in the country. The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has long been critical of President Tinubu’s administration, and this incident has only fueled his concerns about the militarization of political power in Nigeria.
Allegations of Arms Proliferation and Civilian Militarization
One of the most alarming aspects of the viral video, according to Atiku, is the sight of civilians carrying firearms during the parade. At a time when illegal arms proliferation is a significant concern in Nigeria, the use of weapons by civilians—especially in a public setting—has raised alarm bells among security experts.
Atiku pointed out that the parade’s participants were dressed in what appeared to be military uniforms, carrying weapons in full view of the public. The involvement of firearms in a civilian-led procession, he argued, is not only a breach of military protocol but also an indication of the increasing militarization of Nigerian civil society.
“In an effort to uncover the truth behind this shameless procession, we instructed our legal team and military experts to investigate the so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network,’” Atiku stated. “To no one’s surprise, it was revealed that the group is not a legally registered entity.”
The former vice president’s concerns are shared by many Nigerians who have witnessed the growing tendency for civilian groups to adopt military-like imagery and tactics. This is seen by some as an attempt to gain political leverage or attention by associating themselves with the prestige of the military.
Military Traditions and the Need for Accountability
The Nigerian military, once seen as the backbone of the country’s political structure, has long been regarded with respect due to its strict adherence to discipline and tradition. The involvement of civilians in what appears to be a military parade for a non-designated public figure threatens to undermine these traditions and tarnish the military’s reputation.
In his statement, Atiku also called for an urgent investigation by all relevant security agencies into the incident. He demanded that the identities of the individuals involved be uncovered, and that they face appropriate legal consequences for what he described as “an aberration for any branch of the Armed Forces to organise a formal parade for a non-designated public figure.”
In a country with a history of military coups and political instability, any event that blurs the line between civilian and military roles is a cause for concern. Nigerians, who have witnessed the abuses of military power in the past, are understandably wary of any attempt to replicate those power structures in the present.
