•Also wants posthumous promotion of Brigadier General Uba, others

The Leadership Center for Civil and Post Trauma Rehabilitation (LCC and PTR) on Monday called for the reversal of the approval for the promotion of Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the rank of Brigadier General.

The foremost rights group was reacting to reports of the approval, by President Tinubu, of special promotion for Col. Yusuf. The approval was conveyed in a letter from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the Chief of Army Staff.

The leaked letter was dated December 12, 2025, and was signed by Nuhu Ribadu, the NSA.

In the letter, Ribadu said Yusuf would be retained as the president’s ADC despite the promotion.

“I wish to convey Mr. President’s approval of Special Presidential Promotion of Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf to the rank of Brigadier General and retention as ADC C-in-C with effect from 12 December 2025 for your necessary action as enclosed. Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards,” the NSA wrote.

But LCC and PTR in a statement signed by its Secretary, Dr Manzo Abubakar, faulted the move, saying: “The officer in question has not completed the required War College and Defence College courses, nor has he served the minimum time-in-rank as a Colonel, which are essential prerequisites for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General.”

The rights group rather called for promotion of officers “unduly stagnated due to minor imperfections”, just as it made a strong case for the posthumous promotion of Brigadier General Musa Uba, who was recently killed in Borno by terrorists while in active service.

Dated December 15, 2025, the statement was entitled, “THE TINUBU ADMINISTRATION AND THE ADC PROMOTION CONTROVERSY: A CALL FOR INSTITUTIONAL RECTITUDE AND PROFESSIONALISM”. It reads in full:

“The recent promotion of Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the rank of Brigadier General has sparked a heated debate about the integrity of Nigeria's military institution. This unilateral decision, ostensibly precipitated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has precipitated a paradigm of perturbations, perturbing the very foundations of military protocol and precipitating a crisis of confidence in the institution.

“As a nation, we must recognize that the Nigerian Army is a professional institution that operates within a strict hierarchical structure, governed by rules and regulations that ensure its effectiveness and efficiency. The promotion of officers to senior ranks is a critical aspect of this structure, and it is essential that such promotions are based on merit, competence, and adherence to established procedures.

“The promotion of Colonel Yusuf, however, appears to have bypassed these procedures, disregarding the principles of natural justice, fairness, and transparency. The officer in question has not completed the required War College and Defence College courses, nor has he served the minimum time-in-rank as a Colonel, which are essential prerequisites for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General.

“This blatant disregard for established protocols is a disturbing trend that undermines the very fabric of our military institution. It sends a message that personal connections and proximity to power are more important than competence, merit, and professionalism. This is a recipe for disaster, and it is imperative that we take immediate action to correct this anomaly.

“Furthermore, this promotion controversy highlights the plight of officers who have been unduly stagnated due to minor imperfections. These officers, who have served with distinction and dedication, are being overlooked for promotion while others, with less merit and experience, are being fast-tracked to senior ranks. This is a gross injustice that must be addressed.

“Moreover, the Nigerian Army has a wealth of talent and experience that is being underutilized. Officers who have placed their lives on the line and are involved in compact operations are being overlooked for promotion, while others, with less operational experience, are being promoted to senior ranks. This is a travesty that must be corrected.

“Sadly, while late Brig. Gen. Saidu, who didn't die in the battlefield, was posthumously promoted to the rank of a Major General, the likes of Brigadier General Uba, Zirkushi, etc, who died in the field of battle and are eminently qualified for posthumous promotion to the rank of a Major General, were not given consideration.

“As a Civil Society group engaged with transparency and good governance, we use this medium, as a matter of utmost national security urgency, for these officers who paid the supreme price to be promoted posthumously to recognise their sacrifices and dedication.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in this matter and reverse the promotion of Colonel Yusuf. We urge him to uphold the principles of natural justice, fairness, and transparency, and to ensure that the promotion process is based on merit and competence.

“The Nigerian Army is a proud institution that has served this nation with distinction. Let us not allow personal interests and political expediency to undermine its integrity and professionalism.

“Sincerely,

“Dr Manzo Abubakar,

“Secretary, Leadership Center for Civil and Post Trauma Rehabilitation”.

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