By Mohammed Bello Doka
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent decision to remove General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and replace him with General Olufemi Oluyede, a Yoruba officer from the South-West, has sparked intense debate. While the Presidency described it as a “routine realignment of national security leadership,” the move reflects a deeper ideological and political contest shaping Tinubu’s administration.
Musa’s removal comes amid rising insecurity across the North-West and North-East, political unease, and talk of a foiled coup attempt earlier in October. However, insiders suggest the change had less to do with performance and more with clashing philosophies and loyalty. General Musa’s rigid military doctrine reportedly conflicted with the more diplomatic approach championed by the President’s inner circle and National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The Ideological Rift: Peace or Force?
At the core of Musa’s exit was a deep disagreement over Nigeria’s security strategy, especially in the North-West, where banditry has evolved into an organized criminal enterprise.
Musa was uncompromising — insisting terrorists and bandits are “enemies of the state,” not aggrieved citizens deserving dialogue. Drawing from his combat experience in the North-East under Operations Lafiya Dole and Hadin Kai, he argued that peace built on negotiations with killers was false and unsustainable.
Tinubu’s camp, guided by the NSA, preferred a “peace-through-dialogue” model to stabilize volatile regions. Supporters say it aims to create breathing space for development; critics call it appeasement disguised as strategy.
The Asadus-Sunnah Connection
The divide became public when Sheikh Musa, known as Asadus-Sunnah, revealed that he was mediating peace talks with bandit leader Bello Turji “with the full backing of the NSA and top government officials.”
While many expected an official denial, neither the Presidency nor the NSA’s office issued one. The Defence Headquarters merely stated it had “no official record of Turji’s surrender,” which analysts interpreted as tacit approval of the talks.
This silence confirmed growing whispers that the Federal Government was supporting local peace initiatives with selected armed groups, bypassing military command structures.
Musa’s Isolation Within Power Circles
Within the National Security Council, Musa reportedly opposed this policy, viewing it as the “politicization of security.” He warned that paying or pardoning bandits could erode the moral authority of the state and dishonour fallen soldiers.
His advocacy for community self-defence and his opposition to negotiated settlements isolated him from allies of the NSA and political elites in the North who backed the peace initiative. Although respected by his peers, Musa’s refusal to align with Tinubu’s “negotiated calm” strategy may have sealed his fate.
Two Doctrines, One Presidency
| Musa’s Doctrine | Tinubu/Ribadu Doctrine |
|---|---|
| Rejects dialogue; favours military action. | Promotes dialogue and amnesty for stability. |
| Advocates citizens’ self-defence. | Prefers government-controlled peace committees. |
| Views banditry as pure criminality. | Sees it as rooted in socio-economic neglect. |
| Prioritizes justice and deterrence. | Prioritizes calm and political optics. |
This fundamental divide left the President with a choice — between an inflexible soldier and a pragmatic political path.
A President Consolidating Control
Analysts note that Musa’s removal fits a pattern of consolidating power around Tinubu’s South-West base. Recent appointments, from the Finance Ministry under Wale Edun to the FIRS led by Zacch Adedeji, and now Defence under Oluyede, suggest a tightening inner circle.
Critics argue this could upset Nigeria’s fragile ethno-regional balance, as Musa, a northern Christian from Kaduna, symbolized both professionalism and inclusion. Yet for Tinubu, control appears paramount amid economic hardship and mounting unrest.
Politics in Uniform
Beyond ideology, the reshuffle reflects strategic politics. Facing northern discontent and economic strain, Tinubu’s administration is eager to project a reconciliatory image. The peace-deal narrative allows him to appear responsive without escalating conflict.
By removing Musa, Tinubu neutralized an internal dissenter and replaced him with an ally aligned with his broader political and security agenda.
A Nation at a Crossroads
Nigeria’s security crisis has always been intertwined with politics and morality. Musa’s ouster raises a critical question: can dialogue with armed groups truly bring peace, or does it only delay future conflict?
For many observers, this reshuffle represents more than a personnel change — it marks a philosophical turning point. Whether Tinubu’s new doctrine delivers stability or invites deeper insecurity remains to be seen.
But one conclusion is inescapable: in today’s Nigeria, loyalty now weighs as heavily as competence. The silent clash between conviction and control is over — and politics, once again, has prevailed.
Final Thought:
Was General Musa dismissed for failing the President — or for refusing to fail his conscience?
