Public affairs analyst Mahdi Shehu has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sacking and reshuffling Nigeria’s service chiefs, accusing him of acting out of fear of a coup rather than genuine concern for the nation’s growing insecurity.

In a post shared on his official X (Twitter) handle, Shehu argued that the President’s decision was motivated by selfish political interests and survival instincts. Citing the Bible (James 3:16), he said, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” He explained that the verse reflects the greed and self-centered nature of humans, which, according to him, Tinubu has clearly displayed through his leadership decisions.

Shehu lamented that despite continuous killings in states such as Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Yobe, and Borno, the President had refused to act until rumors of a coup surfaced. “The daily massacre of innocent citizens did not touch Tinubu’s conscience to change his security team,” he said. “But when his political survival came under threat from alleged coup rumors, he acted swiftly and in panic.”

He described the shake-up as a reactionary and selfish move, suggesting that Tinubu only became proactive when his position was at risk. Shehu added that the President’s approach to governance has been marked by a disregard for citizens’ suffering, especially amid Nigeria’s worsening economic challenges. “With over 139 million Nigerians living in poverty, Tinubu has kept his so-called economic team that has failed to deliver any relief,” he said.

Shehu concluded that Tinubu’s leadership continues to expose man’s selfish nature, where personal gain outweighs national interest. His criticism followed the President’s recent decision to replace several service chiefs, including the appointment of Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.