The African Democratic Congress (ADC) stated that President Bola Tinubu has explanations to provide Nigerians regarding the abrupt change of service chiefs.
This is contained in a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary of ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, hours after the Tinubu administration announced a major shake-up in the leadership of the Nigerian military.
According to the opposition party, Nigerians deserve to know the real reason behind the “sudden” change.
The ADC spokesman said while Tinubu, as commander-in-chief, has the constitutional authority to make such appointments, the timing of the changes had raised public concern.
“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,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC spokesman reiterated the party’s earlier stance that the reactions of the government to the dangerous rumour have veered between deliberate obfuscation and outright confusion in a matter that required crystal clarity.
He noted that most of the affected service chiefs were appointed only 28 months ago, with the current Chief of Defence Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede having served just one year as Chief of Army Staff before his elevation.
“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,” Abdullahi said.
Noting that the Federal Government owed Nigerians an explanation, he added, “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 ADC spokesman berated the Tinubu administration over alleged misplaced priorities, saying the government has become distracted while insecurity worsens all over the nation.
“Insecurity continues to spread with terrorist groups staging a comeback in some parts of the country, while bandits reign supreme in other parts.
“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,” he said.
The sun
