ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — The African Democratic Congress on Friday called on President Bola Tinubu to explain the sudden dismissal of Nigeria’s service chiefs, urging transparency amid growing public speculation and concerns over national stability.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party acknowledged the president’s constitutional authority to appoint and remove military leaders. However, it questioned the timing of the decision, which came shortly after rumors of an attempted coup and the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebrations.
“The change is coming in the wake of widespread rumours of an attempted coup,” the ADC said. “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 Defence Headquarters has denied any coup plot, calling the reports “false and malicious.” Still, the ADC criticized the government’s response as “confusing and evasive,” accusing it of sending mixed signals rather than offering clarity.
The party noted that several of the dismissed service chiefs had served for less than three years, with the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff having held his previous role for just one year. It argued that such sweeping changes suggest deeper issues within the military hierarchy.
“As an opposition political party, our interest remains the stability of our country and our democracy,” the ADC said, citing recent political unrest in neighboring countries like Chad and across the Sahel as cause for concern.
The party also accused the Tinubu administration of prioritizing political maneuvering over national security, warning that the abrupt changes could fuel public anxiety and conspiracy theories.
“We 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.
