The Digest:
The controversial plan to promote President Bola Tinubu's Aide-de-Camp (ADC), , to Brigadier-General has been shelved after two former Chiefs of Army Staff intervened, citing the dangers such a move would pose to the military establishment and precedent.
Key Points:
- The plan to promote President Tinubu's ADC, Nurudeen Yusuf, to Brigadier-General was shelved at the last minute.
- The promotion, via a "special presidential" process, would have bypassed the normal 4-year service and defence college requirements.
- Approval was conveyed in a December 12 letter from National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu's office.
- The intervention came from two respected former Army Chiefs, who persuaded the President of the risks to military norms.
- Defence Minister Chris Musa and Army Chief Waidi Shaibu had cut short a trip to Lagos ahead of the planned decoration.
- Yusuf was only promoted to Colonel in January 2025 and appointed ADC in April 2023.
- Military experts had warned the move would set a "bad precedent," and Yusuf has previously been accused of wielding undue influence.
Sources: The Cable
