By Mohammed Bello Doka
October 24, 2025
In a dramatic shake-up that sent shockwaves through the corridors of power, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu this week abruptly relieved General Christopher Gwabin Musa of his duties as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) — replacing him with General Olufemi Oluyede, a seasoned Yoruba officer from the South-West.
While the Presidency described the move as a “routine realignment of national security leadership,” insiders and analysts insist that the decision runs much deeper — a quiet but fierce struggle between military doctrine and political pragmatism, and between duty and loyalty within Nigeria’s embattled security establishment.
The Hidden Rift: When Doctrine Collides With Politics
General Musa’s removal did not emerge from thin air. It came at a time of growing instability in the North-West and North-East, mounting political unrest, and whispers of a foiled coup plot earlier this month.
Yet sources familiar with the inner workings of the National Security Council reveal that Musa’s ouster had less to do with performance and more to do with philosophy and principle. His no-nonsense, combat-driven doctrine reportedly clashed with the soft-power approach favoured by President Tinubu’s inner circle — particularly National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
While Ribadu and his allies in the Presidency advocate a “peace-through-dialogue” strategy with armed groups, Musa remained unflinching in his belief that negotiating with killers is surrender disguised as diplomacy.
At the heart of this ideological clash is a fundamental question — Can peace be bought without justice?
For Musa, the answer was a resounding no. Having led major anti-terror campaigns such as Operation Lafiya Dole and Operation Hadin Kai, he witnessed firsthand how previous “peace deals” with terrorists and bandits collapsed into renewed bloodshed.
His philosophy was clear: “You cannot reason with those who profit from chaos.”
Tinubu’s camp, however, saw things differently. Guided by Ribadu’s counsel, the Presidency reportedly pushed for a political reconciliation model aimed at buying short-term stability in volatile northern regions — even if it meant talking to those once branded as enemies of the state.
The Breaking Point: Turji, Talks, and Tension
The simmering tension exploded into the open after Sheikh Musa Asadus-Sunnah, a popular northern cleric, claimed he had initiated peace talks with the notorious bandit warlord Bello Turji, one of the most feared men in Zamfara and Sokoto States.
The cleric boldly declared that his initiative had the “full backing of the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and other senior government officials.”
When the story made national headlines, Nigerians expected a swift denial. But the silence from both the Presidency and the Office of the NSA was deafening. Only the Defence Headquarters issued a cautious statement — saying it had “no official record of Turji’s surrender.”
That carefully worded comment did little to quell suspicion. To many observers, it was a tacit confirmation that a back-channel peace deal was indeed underway — one General Musa was strongly opposed to.
Within the National Security Council, Musa reportedly voiced his unease at what he termed the “politicization of national security.” To him, the idea of striking deals with warlords amounted to betrayal of the blood of fallen soldiers.
His principled resistance, sources say, soon isolated him within the upper ranks of government. Over time, he became increasingly sidelined from key strategic discussions.
“General Musa was not just dismissed — he was outmaneuvered,” one senior military source confided. “He fought to defend the integrity of the armed forces, but in the end, politics prevailed over principle.”
The Bigger Picture: What Musa’s Exit Really Means
General Musa’s removal is more than a personnel change; it is a window into the ideological soul of Tinubu’s administration. It underscores a delicate balance between force and diplomacy, loyalty and independence, politics and professionalism.
Whether Tinubu’s new approach will deliver peace or embolden insurgents remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the quiet war within Nigeria’s security circle is far from over — and its outcome could redefine the nation’s fight for survival.
“You can’t make peace with those who thrive on chaos — unless you’re willing to live in it.”
— A quote attributed to a senior military officer close to General Musa
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