The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to come clean with Nigerians on the real reasons behind the abrupt removal of the country’s Service Chiefs.
The party expressed concern that the decision came shortly after widespread rumours of an attempted coup began circulating across the country.
In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, the party said while the President has the constitutional authority to appoint or dismiss Service Chiefs at will, the timing of the move raises serious questions.
Abdullahi said: “We acknowledge that the President, as the Commander-in-Chief, 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 ADC noted that most of the affected Service Chiefs were appointed less than 28 months ago, with the current Chief of Defence Staff having been appointed just a year earlier as Chief of Army Staff.
The statement further warned that such sweeping changes could have far-reaching implications for stability within the armed forces, adding that Nigerians deserve a clear explanation from the Federal Government.
He added: “As an opposition political party, our interest remains the stability of our country and our democracy.
“In the light of developments in Chad and the Sahel States, we are gravely concerned.”
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He accused the Tinubu administration of being distracted by “regime politics” instead of focusing on tackling the escalating insecurity across the country.
“This action of near wholesale change in the leadership of the country’s military, if anything, will only further promote rumours and conspiracy theories,” he said.
The ADC urged the Federal Government to address the issue transparently and reassure Nigerians that democracy remains secure and intact.
