Alleged Coup: Tinubu Must Be Open To Nigerians, Explain Sudden Sacking Of Service Chiefs – ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded that President Bola Tinubu must publicly explain the reasons behind his sudden removal of the country’s service chiefs, saying Nigerians deserve full transparency amid speculations about the stability of his administration.

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said that while President Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief, has the constitutional authority to appoint or remove security chiefs, the timing of the latest shake-up demands openness, especially as it comes amid rumours of coup plans.

“We acknowledge that the President reserves the power to make such changes as he may deem fit,” the ADC said.

“However, we are somewhat concerned that this change is coming in the wake of widespread rumours of an attempted coup,” the opposition party added.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that President Tinubu sacked all the country’s service chiefs a week after SaharaReporters exclusively reported an alleged coup attempt and the secret detention of 16 senior military officers by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

Though the Presidency described the move as part of efforts to “strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture,”

SaharaReporters observed that the changes came after weeks of tension, suspicion, and internal investigations that pointed to possible disloyalty among key senior officers.

Despite the Presidency’s denial of any coup attempt, the latest shake-up has intensified speculation that Tinubu’s administration is facing rising distrust within the armed forces.

The reports of the alleged coup were exclusively released by SaharaReporters on Saturday.

SaharaReporters gathered that the alleged coup plotters are military officers attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

ONSA is led by Nuhu Ribadu, a lawyer and retired police officer serving as National Security Adviser to President Tinubu.

SaharaReporters gathered further the sixteen Army officers are currently being detained incommunicado by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

Multiple military sources and family members confirmed that the detained officers, taken from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, had been held for over three weeks in an undisclosed location in Abuja under what sources describe as “unusual and suspicious conditions.”

One of the families told SaharaReporters that they initially believed their relative had been kidnapped, as there was no official notice from the military about his arrest or whereabouts.

Also, President Tinubu’s cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations had been linked to the alleged coup, though the Defence Headquarters dismissed the link as “false and malicious”.

But despite the denial, the ADC faulted what it described as the Nigerian government’s “confusing and evasive” handling of the situation, accusing it of sending mixed signals instead of providing clarity to citizens.

“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 opposition party also pointed out that several of the affected service chiefs were appointed barely 28 months ago, while the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff had served as Chief of Army Staff for just a year before his elevation.

According to the ADC, such sweeping changes in the military hierarchy suggest that “serious underlying reasons” may have informed the decision.

“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 party stressed.

Abdullahi said the ADC’s concern was driven by a commitment to national stability and the protection of Nigeria’s democracy, particularly against the backdrop of recent political upheavals in neighbouring countries.

“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,” he said.

The ADC further criticised what it called the Tinubu administration’s “misplaced priorities,” accusing it of focusing more on “regime politics” than on securing the lives of Nigerians.

“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,” the party added.

The party warned that the abrupt reshuffle could heighten public anxiety and fuel conspiracy theories rather than inspire confidence in national security.

“This action, if anything, will only further promote rumours and conspiracy theories,” the ADC cautioned.

Reiterating its call for transparency, the ADC urged the federal government to clearly explain its decision and reassure citizens that Nigeria’s democracy remains stable.

“We therefore reiterate our earlier position that the Nigerian government must address the issue transparently and reassure Nigerians that our democracy is not under threat,” the party said.  (SaharaReporters)