ADC Questions Timing of Tinubu’s Sack of Service Chiefs Amid Coup Rumours

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concern over President Bola Tinubu’s sudden reshuffling of Nigeria’s Service Chiefs, describing the move as abrupt and potentially unsettling given recent rumours of an attempted coup in the country.

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party acknowledged that while the President has the constitutional authority to appoint and remove military leaders, the decision’s timing raises questions.

“Our position remains that the Federal Government owes Nigerians a categorical explanation about what truly happened,” the ADC said.
“As an opposition political party, our interest remains the stability of our country and our democracy. In light of developments in our neighbourhood — particularly in Chad and other Sahel States — we are gravely concerned.”

President Tinubu on Friday announced a major shake-up in the military hierarchy, removing General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and replacing him with General Olufemi Oluyede, formerly the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

Others affected in the reshuffle include Major-General W. Shaibu, appointed as Chief of Army Staff; Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke, as Chief of Air Staff; and Rear Admiral I. Abbas, as Chief of Naval Staff.

The presidency has dismissed reports linking the changes to an alleged coup plot, describing such claims as false and speculative.

However, the ADC argued that the government’s decision appears to have been influenced by the unverified reports, suggesting that the administration may have been “distracted” by recent events.

“Without prejudice to what might have happened in recent weeks, it is obvious that the Tinubu administration is distracted,” the statement continued.
“Insecurity continues to spread with terrorist groups staging a comeback in some parts of the country, while bandits reign supreme in others. But this is not the reason the government is changing the Service Chiefs.”

The party further warned that such a near-wholesale overhaul of the military leadership could fuel “rumours and conspiracy theories” at a time when the nation needs confidence and stability in its security architecture.