By Suleiman Abubakar
It is truly shocking and disappointing to see how ignorance and pettiness can make some people speak without understanding what they are talking about. Recently, a few individuals have been making careless comments, mocking the people of Southern Kaduna because General Christopher Musa has been replaced as the Chief of Defence Staff. They try to present it as if the people of Southern Kaduna have lost something valuable through punishment, or as if the decision was a deliberate attempt by the government to humiliate them. But those who think or speak this way are only exposing their lack of knowledge about how governance and leadership transitions actually work.
In every government, there comes a time when changes are made in key positions. The reshuffling of appointments, especially in the military, is a normal and necessary part of leadership. It helps to inject new ideas, promote capable officers, and maintain discipline and structure within the system. No one occupies a public office forever, and no appointment is meant to be permanent. Every officer knows that when the time comes, one must step aside to allow others to grow and continue the work. That is how institutions are sustained and progress is made.
It is therefore an act of pure ignorance and childish thinking for anyone to mock the people of Southern Kaduna simply because General Christopher Musa’s tenure as Chief of Defence Staff has ended. Such mockery shows a complete misunderstanding of how the military and government function. General Musa’s exit from office is not a disgrace, nor is it a loss to his people. On the contrary, it is a moment of pride because he served his nation at the highest level of military leadership, performed his duties with honour, and left behind a strong legacy of discipline, patriotism, and excellence.
Those who are mocking Southern Kaduna should take a moment to reflect on their own sense of reasoning. If removing a service chief or a Chief of Defence Staff were truly a punishment, then all those who held such positions before him would have been disgraced out of office. But that is not the case. Leadership positions are never meant to be permanent seats. They are responsibilities entrusted to individuals for a time, after which the baton is passed to another. The removal or replacement of a service chief does not mean failure, it is simply the continuation of a process that keeps the institution running smoothly.
General Christopher Musa did not beg for the position, neither did he serve himself while in office. He served the nation with loyalty, courage, and dedication. His leadership contributed to many successes in the fight against insecurity, and he carried out his duties with humility and professionalism. The people of Southern Kaduna have every reason to hold their heads high because their son rose to one of the most respected positions in Nigeria’s military hierarchy. This is not something that should be mocked, it should be celebrated as an inspiration for the younger generation.
It is often said that ignorance is a disease, and in this situation, that saying fits perfectly. Those who are mocking do so because they lack understanding of how systems of governance operate. They have failed to realize that in the military, retirement or replacement is part of service life. Every soldier knows that one day, no matter how high you rise, you will have to leave for others to continue. It is not a matter of emotion, tribe, or politics, but simply how leadership transitions are structured to maintain order and efficiency.
The people of Southern Kaduna should not feel offended or disheartened by such ignorant comments. Instead, they should stand proud knowing that General Christopher Musa has done his best for the country and represented his people with dignity. He has written his name in the history books of Nigeria, and that achievement cannot be erased by gossip or mockery. Leadership is not about how long one stays in power, but about the legacy one leaves behind. In that regard, General Christopher Musa has served with distinction and honour.
Mockery is the weapon of the ignorant, but respect is the language of the wise. The legacy of General Musa will continue to speak louder than the noise of those who fail to understand that service to the nation is not about clinging to power, but about giving your best when you are called upon to serve. Southern Kaduna should therefore take pride in their son who served the nation and retired honourably, because true leadership is about service, not position.
General Christopher Musa remains a hero, a patriot, and a symbol of national pride, and no ignorant mockery can change that truth.