The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to come clean on the real reasons behind what it described as a “sudden and rather abrupt” change in the leadership of the Nigerian military, a move that has raised both political and security eyebrows across the country.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the party said the President owes Nigerians a transparent explanation, especially amid growing speculations linking the military shake-up to unconfirmed reports of a foiled coup plot around October 1, 2025.
“The President must be honest with the people. This is not the time for secrecy or half-truths. Nigerians deserve to know what informed the sudden dismissal of the service chiefs barely a year into their appointments,” the ADC declared, stressing that the timing of the reshuffle “suggests deeper political undercurrents than routine administrative changes.”
President Tinubu on Thursday announced a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s top military hierarchy, removing the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chiefs of Army, Navy, and Air Staff — while retaining the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The Presidency described the move as part of a “strategic security realignment” aimed at improving efficiency and restoring public confidence in the nation’s defence system.
But opposition parties and political observers have questioned the abruptness of the decision, noting that it came just weeks after rumors of a coup plot circulated on social media, sparking heightened security vigilance in Abuja and other parts of the country. Although the Presidency has dismissed the rumors as “unfounded,” many see the timing of the dismissals as more than coincidental.
Security analysts suggest that the changes may have been intended to consolidate loyalty within the armed forces and prevent potential internal dissent. “Tinubu understands that control of the military is central to political stability. What we are witnessing might be more about asserting authority than correcting inefficiency,” said a retired military officer who spoke under anonymity.
Meanwhile, the retention of IGP Kayode Egbetokun has also drawn attention. Legal experts note that his tenure remains valid under the Police Act (Amended 2020), which grants a four-year term extending to October 2027. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has defended the legality of his stay, emphasizing that the IGP’s position is not subject to arbitrary removal.
The ADC, however, maintained that the selective reshuffle raises more questions than answers. “If this was a performance-based decision, the government should tell Nigerians what indices were used. Transparency is the hallmark of democracy,” the party’s statement added.
The development has stirred fresh debate about accountability, loyalty, and political control within the country’s security architecture. With Nigerians already facing mounting economic hardship and insecurity, the sudden military overhaul — without a clear explanation — risks deepening public distrust and fueling speculation about what truly transpired behind closed doors.