Social Listening 29 October 2025
1. We had no other choice but option two
2. Tinubu meets new service chiefs.
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3. Negotiating and making peace deals with Terrorists/Bandits is counterproductive.
“I have been a theatre commander on various operations. These individuals are dangerous; terrorists do not keep their promises. The communities and those advocating such a policy will regret it.”
~ General Christopher Musa on BBC Hausa (on 20 October 2025. President Tinubu removed him on 24 October.
4. General Musa’s removal slights the minorities- Solomon Dalung.
Barrister Solomon Dalung
SUNDAY CORNER
Minorities as Pawns in Nigeria’s Political Game: The Musa Removal and 2027 Power Realignment
Nigeria’s political architecture has long been defined by exclusion and domination. The majority blocs Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo have maintained a firm grip on the levers of power. At the same time, the Middle Belt and South-South remain strategically valuable but politically dispensable. Despite being pillars of national unity and economic sustenance, these minority regions continue to serve as pawns in a recurring game of convenience, deployed for electoral legitimacy and discarded once the spoils of power are shared. The recent removal of General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Chief of Defence Staff starkly exposes this enduring imbalance.
General Musa’s removal, despite his record of professionalism and discipline, shocked many observers. Appointed in 2023 as a symbol of inclusivity, he was widely praised for reforming military coordination and promoting inter-service alignment. Yet, barely two years later, he was replaced by a Yoruba general who had previously served under him. The official justification, “strengthening national security architecture”, rings hollow in a system where performance rarely trumps politics. For the Middle Belt, the message is clear: representation is temporary, and loyalty is no guarantee of continuity.
The contradiction deepens when juxtaposed with the case of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, whose tenure was extended despite reaching retirement age. The contrast between Musa’s removal and Egbetokun’s retention highlights a selective application of institutional logic, in which rules are bent for some and rigidly enforced for others. For minorities, this dual standard reflects a deeper problem: Nigeria’s governance structure remains hostage to sectional calculation, not to merit or fairness. It reinforces the perception that appointments are not instruments of service but tokens of power rotation.
The plight of minorities in this context is both historical and systemic. The Middle Belt, often described as Nigeria’s “bridge of unity,” has suffered decades of fragmentation through ethnic and religious manipulation. Meanwhile, the South-South, the source of Nigeria’s oil wealth, endures ecological devastation and underdevelopment despite sustaining the federation’s economy. Both regions have produced patriotic leaders, soldiers, and reformers, yet they remain politically marginalised. Each cycle of “inclusion” ends with betrayal, feeding disillusionment and weakening national cohesion.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, a new power realignment is in progress. The ruling elite from the dominant blocs are adjusting alliances to maintain control, while minorities are once again being courted as electoral tokens. Unless the Middle Belt and South-South act with strategic foresight, they risk being exploited to legitimise another cycle of exclusion. Their combined votes are crucial, yet their collective voice remains subdued. The removal of General Musa must, therefore, be seen not only as a personnel change but also as a warning of the political vulnerability of minority representation.
To escape this cycle, minority regions must adopt a new political strategy anchored on unity, negotiation, and structural reform. First, the Middle Belt and South-South should forge a political alliance that transcends ethnic or partisan boundaries. Together, they control critical votes, natural resources, and human capital that can reshape the power balance. Second, their politics must shift from personality-driven loyalty to issue-based bargaining, demanding constitutional guarantees for inclusion, tenure protection for key offices, and fiscal federalism that empowers local development. Third, they must mobilise civil society, youth, and religious groups to create a shared narrative of justice and equity.
In conclusion, the replacement of General C.G. Musa and the extension of Egbetokun’s tenure reflect Nigeria’s ongoing betrayal of its minorities. The upcoming 2027 realignment offers both a risk and a chance. If the Middle Belt and South-South remain divided and reactive, they will once again be pawns. But if they unite around a common vision of justice, merit, and equality, they can change Nigeria’s political landscape from a game of exclusion to a coalition of progress. The time has come for Nigeria’s minorities to cease being used and to start negotiating power on their own terms.
Solomon Dalung LLB, LLM, BL
Igbarman Otarok & Garkuwan Arewa
[email protected]
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From October 23 to 28, 2025, several key issues and social commentaries have dominated the Nigerian news landscape. In essence, Nigeria’s news and social commentary within this period reflect a nation grappling with security challenges, political controversies, diplomatic positioning, and a vigorous discourse on the role of media and public accountability.
• Security and Military Reforms: The government continues to focus on strengthening security institutions nationwide, with reports that the National Economic and Development Authority endorsed plans to overhaul training for security agencies and the active deployment of military forces against banditry in the northwest.
• Legal and Judicial Proceedings: Notably, the trial of Nnamdi Kanu’s case was stalled, following the controversial withdrawal of his legal team amid ongoing terrorism charges. The judiciary’s handling of such high-profile cases remains a focal point. youtube
• Political and Diplomatic Movements: Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister, Yusef Tuga, issued a warning against negative narratives that could harm Nigeria’s international reputation amid ongoing diplomatic engagements. youtube
Security and Safety Concerns
• Counterinsurgency and Crime: Several reports detail ongoing military operations against bandits and armed criminals, including the arrest of suspected gunrunners and the increased military presence in volatile regions such as Kaduna and Kebbi states. Security officials emphasise the need for prompt intelligence and community cooperation to maintain progress against insecurity.
• Community and Governance: Despite military efforts, socio-political issues such as misinformation about the engagement of mercenaries in security operations persist, which generate controversy and false narratives.
Socio-Economic and Policy Issues
• The government’s efforts to reform security training institutions and to bolster investor confidence in treasury bills showcase economic strides amid security concerns. youtube
Media Coverage
• Multiple broadcasts and social media outlets spotlight ongoing debates over governance, security, and Nigeria’s international image, with live updates and in-depth analysis on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and local radio stations. nigeriainfoyoutube+1
