ADC to Tinubu: Nigerians Deserve Truth Behind Sudden Sack of Service Chiefs

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide Nigerians with a clear and honest explanation for the sudden dismissal of the nation’s service chiefs, saying the abrupt military shake-up has fueled speculation and concerns about government transparency.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC acknowledged the President’s constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief to appoint or remove service chiefs. However, it said the timing of the move — amid widespread rumours of an attempted coup — demanded openness and reassurance from the government.

“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 party criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the situation, describing official responses to the coup rumours as inconsistent and unclear.

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

The ADC noted that several of the affected service chiefs had only recently been appointed, with the former Chief of Defence Staff serving barely a year as Chief of Army Staff before his promotion. It said such drastic changes within the military hierarchy must have been driven by serious internal issues.

“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 statement noted.

While affirming its commitment to Nigeria’s peace and democracy, the ADC expressed concern that the federal government’s priorities appeared misplaced.

“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 party stated.

The ADC further accused the Tinubu administration of being distracted from urgent security challenges.

“Insecurity continues to spread, with terrorist groups staging a comeback in some parts of the country, while bandits reign supreme in others. Yet, the government seems more focused on regime politics than on protecting lives and property,” the party said.

It warned that the sudden military overhaul, if not properly explained, could heighten public anxiety and fuel conspiracy theories.

“This action, if anything, will only further promote rumours and conspiracy theories,” the ADC cautioned, urging the government to act transparently and reassure citizens that Nigeria’s democracy remains secure.

“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 concluded.

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