REVEALLED ;Presidency explains sacking of Service Chiefs, reacts rumoured Coup link

REVEALLED ;Presidency explains sacking of Service Chiefs, reacts to Coup link

The Presidency has clarified the rationale behind the recent removal and replacement of the country’s service chiefs, dismissing claims that the shake-up was related to a rumoured coup plot.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Tope Ajayi, told Saturday PUNCH that the leadership changes were intended to “inject new direction, vision, vigour and energy” into the armed forces.

“This is not a reaction to any rumour of coups. He is exercising his powers. The service chiefs have done two years,” Ajayi said, noting that the President’s decision aligns with constitutional provisions allowing all appointees to serve at his pleasure.

Ajayi further explained that Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including Boko Haram in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, IPOB and ESN in the South-East, and kidnapping in the South-West, as well as crises in the North-Central. “We are fighting security issues,” he said.

He also highlighted the strain that heavy security spending has placed on other critical sectors of the economy.

“In the last 15 years, look at our national budget security taking the largest chunk. The President wants to deal with this matter once and for all, so that the money going into defence expenditure will be better deployed to fund critical infrastructure like power, roads, broadband, education, and healthcare,” Ajayi added.

Earlier, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, announced the appointments, naming General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa. Major-General W. Shaibu was appointed 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. Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his position. Dare said the appointments took immediate effect.

Tinubu charged the new service chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by enhancing “the professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship that define Nigeria’s Armed Forces.”

The timing of the reshuffle came shortly after an online report by Sahara Reporters alleged that some military officers had plotted to remove President Tinubu, linking the detention of 16 officers to the purported coup and claiming that the cancellation of the Independence Day military parade was intended to suppress unrest.

The Defence Headquarters, however, dismissed the claims as “false and intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”

Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, said the parade cancellation was “purely administrative” and that the detained officers were under investigation for “issues of indiscipline,” stressing that the armed forces remain loyal to the Constitution and the President.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, also emphasised that the President acted within his constitutional authority, stating: “Service chiefs can be hired and fired by the President. He is the Commander-in-Chief. He has the power to hire and fire.”

The Presidency maintained that the move is aimed at renewing leadership in the military after two years under the previous chiefs, ensuring better coordination in tackling the nation’s security challenges while optimizing the allocation of resources for development.