…Tinubu right to reshuffle service chiefs if coup rumour was true – Agbakoba Reacts
….His administration has staged ‘coup’ against Nigeria’s democracy, Says Inibehe Effiong
The African Democratic Congress has challenged President Bola Tinubu to disclose the real reasons behind the abrupt removal of the country’s service chiefs.
This is as the party says that Nigerians deserve transparency amid mounting speculation about the stability of his administration.
In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said that while the President, as Commander-in-Chief, has the constitutional power to make such changes, the timing — coming on the heels of widespread rumours of an attempted coup — demands openness and clear communication.
The Defence Headquarters had however immediately dismissed as false and malicious reports linking the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary activities to an alleged coup attempt by some military officers.
“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 ADC said.
The opposition party faulted what it called the Federal Government’s “confusing and evasive” handling of the situation, accusing it of sending mixed signals rather than 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 ADC also observed that several of the affected service chiefs were appointed only about 28 months ago, while the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff had held his previous position as Chief of Army Staff for just a year.
It argued that such sweeping changes within the military hierarchy likely stem from serious underlying reasons.
“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 said.
The ADC emphasized that its concern was rooted in national stability and the protection of democratic governance, particularly given 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,” it said.
Criticising what it described as the government’s misplaced priorities, the ADC accused the Tinubu administration of being distracted as insecurity continues to escalate across the nation.
“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 statement read.
The party warned that the sudden changes could heighten public anxiety and fuel conspiracy theories rather than restore 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 explain its decision clearly and reassure Nigerians that the nation’s democracy remains stable.
“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 party said.
Meanwhile, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba, has justified President Bola Tinubu’s decision to reshuffle the service chiefs.
Speaking in an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television on Friday, Agbakoba said Tinubu acted rightly if there was indeed a rumoured coup.
He was reacting to the reshuffle of the service chiefs announced by President Tinubu on Friday.
The President made changes to the hierarchy of the service chiefs as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen the national security architecture.
Reacting, the senior lawyer said: “You have a president who is prepared to take top decisions and we know that he likes to take top decisions.
“I think he has taken top decisions because his predecessor, late former president Muhammadu Buhari, did not like to take top decisions and he allowed his military team to stay far longer than they should have.
“So if it is indeed true that there was a rumoured coup, I think he (President Tinubu) will be sensible to do exactly what he has done. What we want to see is the impact of the decision.”
In the same vein, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of orchestrating what he described as a “civilian coup” against Nigeria’s democracy.
“We don’t want a coup in Nigeria. I’m totally against it. But can you say today that the Tinubu regime has not waged a coup against the constitution of our country?” he said while speaking on a Channels Television programme on Friday.
Mr Effiong alleged that the Tinubu-led administration has systematically undermined democratic institutions, silenced dissenting voices, and eroded the rule of law.
“Can you tell me there is no coup against democracy in this country? Because the moment you begin to say people cannot protest in the Villa or at the Eagle Square, do you want Nigerians in Abuja to go to the Sambisa Forest to protest?” Mr Effiong queried.
He lamented that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government had “weaponised state institutions” against perceived opponents while shrinking the civic space through intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and censorship.