ADC demands Tinubu explain sudden service chiefs’ sack amid coup rumours

ADC demands Tinubu explain sudden service chiefs’ sack amid coup rumours

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come clean on the real reasons behind the abrupt removal of Nigeria’s service chiefs, warning that the move has stirred anxiety and speculation at a time when clarity is most needed.

In a strongly worded statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said while the President has the constitutional authority to reshuffle the military hierarchy, the timing—coming on the heels of widespread rumours of an attempted coup—makes transparency imperative.

“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 slammed the Federal Government’s response to the coup rumours as muddled and evasive, accusing it of sending mixed signals to a nation already on edge.

“The reactions of government to the dangerous rumour have veered between deliberate obfuscation and outright confusion in a matter that required crystal clarity,” Abdullahi said.

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The party noted that many of the ousted service chiefs had only been in office for about 28 months, with the current Chief of Defence Staff serving just a year as Chief of Army Staff before his elevation. It argued that such sweeping changes must be driven by serious concerns, not political expediency.

“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 stated.

The opposition party also raised alarm over worsening insecurity across the country, accusing the Tinubu administration of being distracted by political maneuvering while terrorist groups and bandits regain ground.

“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,” the party said.

The ADC warned that the shake-up could fuel conspiracy theories and deepen public unease rather than restore confidence in the government’s leadership.

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

Calling for full disclosure, the party urged the Federal Government to reassure Nigerians that the country’s democracy is not under threat.

“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.

The ADC’s intervention comes amid growing calls for accountability and clearer communication from the presidency, especially as regional instability in Chad and the Sahel continues to cast a shadow over Nigeria’s security landscape.

ADC demands Tinubu explain sudden service chiefs’ sack amid coup rumours