ABUJA: The Presidency has denied reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to sack and replace Nigeria’s service chiefs was connected to alleged coup rumours, insisting that the move was simply part of efforts to inject new energy and direction into the military.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said that Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers as Commander-in-Chief and that the decision had nothing to do with the recent coup speculation.
Service chiefs can be hired and fired by the President. He is the Commander-in-Chief. He has the power to hire and fire, Onanuga said.
There is no connection whatsoever between the President’s action and any coup rumour. It is a routine leadership change to refocus the armed forces.
On Friday, Tinubu announced sweeping changes across the military hierarchy, naming General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.
Other appointments include Major-General W. Shaibu 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, while Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retained his position as Chief of Defense Intelligence.
According to Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, the appointments took immediate effect.
Tinubu urged the new service chiefs to justify his confidence by enhancing professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the armed forces.
The announcement came barely a week after Sahara Reporters published a story alleging that some military officers were plotting to overthrow the government.
The report, which went viral on October 19, claimed that the detention of 16 officers was tied to the alleged plot and that the cancellation of the Independence Day parade was part of efforts to suppress unrest within the military.
However, the Defense Headquarters quickly denied the story.
In a statement by the Director of Defense Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, the military dismissed the report as “false, malicious, and intended to create tension.
The Armed Forces remain loyal to the Constitution and to the President, Gusau said, explaining that the detained officers were being investigated for indiscipline and that the parade’s cancellation was “purely administrative.
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Tope Ajayi, reiterated that the changes followed two years of sustained military operations, not coup rumours This is not a reaction to any rumour of coups. He is exercising his powers. The service chiefs have done two years, Ajayi said.
“We are fighting multiple security challenges across the country Boko Haram in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, IPOB and ESN in the South-East, kidnapping in the South-West, and other crises in the North-Central.
Ajayi added that the President’s move was intended to inject “new vision, vigour, and energy” into the armed forces and ensure that the country’s huge defence spending is yielding results.
In the last 15 years, security has taken the largest share of our budget. The President wants to deal with insecurity decisively so that more funds can be channelled into critical sectors like power, roads, broadband, education, and healthcare, he noted.
He stressed that all appointees, including service chiefs, serve at the President’s pleasure.
Every appointee of government serves at the pleasure of the President. The only two positions with guaranteed tenure are those of the President and the Vice President,Ajayi explained.
Despite these assurances, public speculation continues to link the timing of the dismissals to the alleged coup attempt.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, called on Tinubu to give Nigerians a clear explanation for the reshuffle
Nearly all the sacked service chiefs were appointed just over two years ago. Such major reshuffles have far-reaching implications for stability within the ranks, the ADC said, warning that the move could fuel unnecessary speculation.
Security experts have also expressed mixed views.
Col. Yomi Dare (retd.), former Director of Legal Services in the Nigerian Army, described the shake-up as a morale booster, urging the new chiefs to build on their predecessors’ efforts.
Former DSS Director Mike Ejiofor said while Tinubu acted within his rights, real progress depends on proper funding and inter-agency coordination.
Security analyst Akogun-Abudu Oluwamayowa, however, questioned the timing of the changes, saying the insecurity challenge required deeper reforms.
Replacing service chiefs won’t solve insecurity. We need better border control and improved welfare for soldiers. Many of them are struggling to survive, he said.
