Table of Contents
- Accusation Against President Tinubu
- Biblical Reference
- Demonstration of Selfishness
- Security Failures Ignored
- Economic Crisis Management
- Conclusion
A public affairs analyst, Mahdi Shehu, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of acting out of self-serving political interests in the recent reshuffling of Nigeria’s service chiefs.
In a post shared on his official X account on Saturday, Shehu stated that the President’s decision was not driven by the escalating insecurity in the country, but rather by fear and instinct for personal survival amidst reports of a potential coup.
To support his argument, Shehu quoted the Bible: “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” – James 3:16.
He believes this scripture aptly illustrates humanity's inherent tendencies toward greed and selfishness, which he claims have been clearly exhibited by Tinubu through his actions.
“The scriptural references to human selfishness are well documented and evidenced by man himself,” Shehu remarked.
“Human greed and insatiable economic desires further emphasize our limitless capacity for selfishness.”
He accused the President of overlooking numerous tragic events nationwide while keeping the same security chiefs in place. “The ongoing rampant killings across the country did not motivate Tinubu to rethink his security framework,” he wrote.
Shehu cited multiple instances where he believes the President failed to respond, including the daily attacks on villages and the murder of hundreds in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Yobe, and Borno states, as well as mass killings in Benue, Taraba, Kogi, and Nasarawa.
“These tragedies were insufficient reasons for Tinubu to muster the courage to dismiss the service chiefs,” he lamented.
“However, when his version of democracy faced what was officially denied yet unofficially acknowledged as a coup, he acted quickly and in a panic.”
Shehu described this move as a coup shrouded in secrecy, left to the imagination of the public, alleging that the President only became decisive when his own political survival was threatened.
He further criticized Tinubu’s approach to Nigeria’s economic crisis, accusing him of retaining what he referred to as an ineffective economic team despite the worsening conditions of poverty and hunger.
“With 139 million Nigerians facing extreme poverty and hunger, along with other dire economic failures, Tinubu has yet to dismiss his economic team,” Shehu noted.
He concluded by stating that the President’s actions once again highlight humanity's selfish nature, even in the face of evident failures, until such time when he is ultimately laid to rest.
On Friday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced a significant overhaul in the country’s security leadership, dismissing several service chiefs and approving the appointments of their successors. Read more here.
According to a statement released by his media aide, Sunday Dare, Olufemi Oluyede has been appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Musa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the reshuffling of Nigeria’s service chiefs?
The reshuffling was allegedly motivated by President Tinubu's fear of a potential coup rather than addressing the ongoing insecurity in the country.
What are the accusations made by Mahdi Shehu against President Tinubu?
Mahdi Shehu accused President Tinubu of acting out of selfish political interests, ignoring tragic events across the country, and failing to address Nigeria’s economic crisis effectively.
