ADC URGES TINUBU TO EXPLAIN SACK OF SERVICE CHIEFS AMID COUP RUMOURS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to provide a clear explanation for the sudden removal of the country’s service chiefs, saying Nigerians deserve transparency amid widespread speculation about the stability of his administration.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said that while the President, as Commander-in-Chief, has the constitutional authority to appoint or dismiss service chiefs, the timing of the decision — coming shortly after rumours of an attempted coup — requires openness and reassurance.
“We acknowledge that the President reserves the power to make such changes as he may deem fit. However, we are somewhat concerned that this change is coming in the wake of widespread rumours of an attempted coup,” the statement read.
The ADC criticised what it described as the Federal Government’s “confusing and evasive” response to the rumours, accusing it of failing to provide clarity in a matter that demanded “crystal transparency.”
“The reactions of government to the dangerous rumour have veered between deliberate obfuscation and outright confusion in a matter that required crystal clarity,” Abdullahi stated.
The party noted that several of the affected service chiefs had served for less than three years, with the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff having been appointed only a year ago as Chief of Army Staff. It argued that such sweeping changes within the military hierarchy suggested there were deeper issues at play.
“This kind of decision has serious and far-reaching implications for stability within the ranks and therefore could not have been taken without strong reasons,” the ADC said.
The opposition party stressed that its concern stemmed from a desire to safeguard national stability and democratic governance, especially given the wave of military takeovers in parts of Africa.
“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 across the Sahel, we are gravely concerned,” the statement added.
The ADC also accused the Tinubu administration of being distracted from pressing national issues, particularly the worsening insecurity across the country.
“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. Instead, the administration’s attention appears fully focused on regime politics rather than securing the lives of Nigerians,” it said.
Warning that the abrupt military shake-up could heighten public anxiety and fuel conspiracy theories, the ADC urged the President to reassure Nigerians that the country’s democracy remains stable.
“This action, if anything, will only further promote rumours and conspiracy theories. We therefore reiterate our earlier position that the Federal Government must address the issue transparently and reassure Nigerians that our democracy is not under threat,” the statement concluded.
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