The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tell the people the real reasons behind the sudden removal of the country’s service chiefs. The coalition party recently revealed that the sudden shake-up raises further questions about how transparent and stable the current government is.
In a press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC disclosed that even though President Tinubu has the power to make such changes, the timing is very suspicious.
According to him, the fact that the decision came amid widespread rumours of an attempted coup makes an explanation highly necessary.
He criticised the Federal Government for its confusing and evasive response to the coup rumours, emphasising that Nigerians deserve clarity, not mixed signals.
“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 reactions of government to the dangerous rumour have veered between deliberate obfuscation and outright confusion in a matter that required crystal clarity,” he said.
The coalition party further noted that most of the service chiefs removed had only been appointed 28 months ago; therefore, such a major change must have been triggered by a serious reason.
Bolaji Abdullahi concluded by saying that Nigerians deserve a categorical explanation from the government to preserve national peace.
“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.
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.
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.
This action, if anything, will only further promote rumours and conspiracy theories.
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,” he added.
