Presidency Explains Tinubu’s Removal of Service Chiefs Amid Rumoured Coup Tension

The Presidency has shed light on President Bola Tinubu’s decision to dismiss and replace the nation’s service chiefs, saying the move was made to inject new direction into the military rather than in response to any alleged coup plot.

Speaking with Newsmen, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers as Commander-in-Chief to reorganize military leadership. “Service chiefs can be hired and fired by the President. He has the authority to make those changes when necessary” Onanuga said.

The President announced the sweeping military shake-up on Friday, naming General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff to replace General Christopher Musa. Major-General W. Shaibu became Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke took over as Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas assumed office as Chief of Naval Staff. Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retained his post as Chief of Defence Intelligence. The appointments took immediate effect, and Tinubu charged the new service chiefs to demonstrate professionalism, vigilance and unity in defending the nation.

The move came days after reports by Sahara Reporters alleged that some military officers were plotting to remove the President, linking the detention of sixteen officers to the supposed coup attempt. The Defence Headquarters quickly dismissed the report as false and misleading, stating that the detained officers were being investigated for indiscipline and that the cancellation of the Independence Day parade was purely administrative.

While the Presidency maintains that the decision had nothing to do with the rumours, public speculation has continued to grow. Senior officials within the security sector told Newsmen that while the coup reports were baseless, some Nigerians would “naturally connect the timing” of the announcement to those earlier claims.

Explaining further, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Tope Ajayi, noted that the decision followed two years of sustained operations under the previous military heads. He said Tinubu’s action was aimed at injecting “new vision, energy, and vigour” into the military. “This is not a reaction to any coup rumour. The President is exercising his authority. The service chiefs have served two years, and it is time for fresh leadership,” Ajayi said.

He added that the government’s heavy security spending had limited resources for other vital sectors and that the President was determined to address the issue decisively. “Security has taken the largest share of our national budget for over fifteen years. The President wants to fix this once and for all so funds can be redirected to critical infrastructure like power, roads, broadband, education and healthcare” Ajayi explained.

The African Democratic Congress, however, called for more transparency, urging the Presidency to explain the reasons behind such a sweeping change. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the decision had “serious implications for stability within the military ranks” and should be clearly justified.

Security experts offered mixed views on the changes. Retired Colonel Yomi Dare described the appointments as a morale booster, while former DSS Director Mike Ejiofor cautioned that the success of the new chiefs would depend on proper funding and coordination. Security analyst Akogun-Abudu Oluwamayowa, on his part, said the overhaul might have little effect unless deeper structural and welfare challenges in the armed forces were addressed.

Despite official denials, public debate continues to swirl around the timing of the announcement and the motives behind it.