The recent promotion of President Bola Tinubu’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC) from colonel to brigadier general has sparked a storm of criticism, with political commentator Mahdi Shehu describing the move as a serious violation of military procedures.
In a post shared on his official X account on Monday, Shehu accused President Tinubu of bypassing established rules and global best practices by unilaterally promoting his ADC. According to him, the promotion disregarded military norms and threatened the professionalism and morale of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“This promotion was carried out against all laid-down military procedures, against global practice, and even against common sense,” Shehu wrote. He further noted that it neglected the career progression and morale of other officers, creating what he called “an abnormal situation” within the military hierarchy.
According to Shehu, the promotion has caused the ADC to become senior to several officers who were previously ahead of him, including those who have served longer and are older in rank. He described this as a toxic and biased move, arguing that it shifts loyalty from institutions to individuals.
“The newly promoted ADC is now a mate to officers who were once his seniors and even many years senior to his course mates,” Shehu explained. “This is throwing away loyalty to institutions in favour of loyalty to an individual.”
Shehu also highlighted that the ADC had been promoted from lieutenant colonel to colonel only last year, without undergoing the required training. Under normal circumstances, he argued, the ADC’s next promotion to brigadier general would have been due in 2028, making this move premature and irregular.
The political commentator warned that such biased promotions could undermine discipline, dampen morale, and create long-term resentment among officers. “This kind of emotional promotion blunder will create permanent bitterness among officers and weaken discipline,” he said.
Shehu further noted that military institutions globally maintain strict ethics and promotion standards. He warned that unilateral decisions such as this could reduce Nigeria’s rating and credibility in international military circles.
“This biased promotion will not escape the attention of military institutions that have regional and global linkages and jealously uphold ethics and standards,” he wrote. He added that if such practices continue, it could have serious consequences for the armed forces, including potentially forcing thousands of senior officers into premature retirement if similar promotions are made in the future.
He suggested that in the context of political calculations, especially as the 2027 elections approach, such promotions could be aimed at ensuring the presence of “reliable personnel” in key positions. Shehu argued that this risks sacrificing professionalism for personal loyalty.
While no official statement has been issued by the Nigerian Army regarding the ADC promotion, military analysts have expressed concern over the implications for the institution. They argue that the promotion could weaken cohesion and morale if perceived as favouritism or political interference.
“Military promotions are meant to reflect merit, experience, and adherence to rules,” said an anonymous military analyst. “When a promotion bypasses these criteria, it can create resentment and potentially affect operational efficiency.”
Shehu also highlighted that the promotion may disrupt the career trajectory of other officers, particularly those in the same course or rank, who may now find themselves outranked prematurely. He described the situation as institutional destruction, cautioning that such actions could have long-term effects on military discipline and integrity.
“This toxic promotion, unilateral as it is, is an assault on professional standards, common sense, and the psychology of those who chose the military as a career,” Shehu stated. He concluded his commentary with a proverb: “A stitch in time saves nine,” stressing that early corrective measures could prevent greater institutional damage.
In the Nigerian Armed Forces, promotions follow established guidelines that consider seniority, training, performance, and experience. Bypassing these rules, especially for high-ranking officers, is widely regarded as a violation of protocol and can affect morale and operational effectiveness.