NIGERIA, Dec. 5 -- Every government-whether wearing polished military boots or flowing agbada-needs one indispensable ingredient to survive: legitimacy. My Political Science lecturer didn't whisper this truth; he announced it like a commandment: Support + Control = Legitimacy (S + C = L). Support means the people willingly accept you. Control means the state can enforce laws, maintain order, and protect its territory. When these combine, the result is legitimacy-the golden fuel that keeps government running. Lose Support, and Control takes over. Lose Control, and Support stands weak. This political equation has guided leaders from ancient times to today.

Interestingly, the appointment of General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd) as Nigeria's...