A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against what he described as the politicisation of the Nigerian Army, cautioning that abuse of military ranks could undermine democracy and fuel coup tendencies.

Frank raised the alarm over reports alleging an accelerated promotion of the president’s Aide-De-Camp to the rank of Brigadier-General shortly after elevation to colonel, describing the development as troubling if confirmed.

In a statement on Monday, Frank said the Nigerian Army is a national institution governed by professional standards and long-established traditions, not a personal extension of any president.

He stressed that senior military ranks are earned through years of service, command experience, rigorous training and competitive assessments, not political favour.

According to Frank, promotions that fall outside established procedures weaken morale, erode discipline and damage cohesion within the armed forces.

He warned that recent experiences across West Africa show that politicised militaries often become breeding grounds for instability and unconstitutional takeovers.

“From Mali to Burkina Faso and Niger, coups have emerged where institutions were abused and professionalism undermined,” he said.

Frank described any manipulation of military ranks for personal convenience as alien to Nigeria’s democratic history, noting that even past military rulers exercised restraint in handling senior promotions.

He rejected arguments based on presidential authority, insisting that being commander-in-chief demands institutional respect, not arbitrariness.

Frank called on the Minister of Defence to advise the president appropriately and urged the presidency to clarify the legal and professional basis for the reported promotion. He also appealed to civil society groups, retired officers and professional bodies to speak out in defence of military professionalism.