The Country Director of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and Retired Army Captain, Ambassador Abdullahi Bokaji Adamu, commented that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent sack of the service chiefs has been met with “mixed feelings across the North,” as the region watches closely for signs of fairness and balance in the replacements. Ambassador Adamu described the President’s decision as “both political and strategic.” He suggested that while the official reason is a desire for improved performance, the move may also be influenced by “political undertones or internal power struggles,” including unconfirmed claims linked to a suspected attempted coup or internal realignments. He noted that in Nigeria, key decisions like security appointments are often influenced by regional and political interests over merit and fairness. He acknowledged that the North is watching closely to see if the replacements reflect fairness and balance, and that the new appointments appear to have a degree of regional balance, with “two out of the four new service chiefs coming from the North,” which has helped to “reduce tension and suspicion.” The IHRC Director emphasized that the North, having borne the brunt of insecurity for years, is now “waiting to see results, not promises.” He stated that the region’s confidence in the Federal Government will depend on achieving peace, stability, and safe roads. Ambassador Adamu noted a long-standing public observation that the government often “reacts quickly only when the elite are affected.” He suggested the speed of the service chiefs’ sack, following reports of high-level discontent, reinforces this public perception, a sentiment he warned “must change” to earn public trust. He agreed that the former Army Chief and his team did their best but were limited by systemic problems such as “limited political will, inadequate funding, and weak inter-agency cooperation.” He urged the new service chiefs to adopt a broader strategy that combines military force with intelligence, dialogue, and community participation. He stressed the need for them to work with state governments, traditional rulers, and local vigilantes. However, he cautioned that true change will be limited unless the Federal Government provides the new chiefs with the freedom and resources to act effectively. Ambassador Adamu concluded that while the sack is commendable, the government must prove the action is not driven by politics. He asserted that all Nigerians desire peace, justice, and inclusion, not favoritism or hidden agendas.
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