The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has told the presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to tell Nigerians the reasons behind the change of service chiefs.
The ADC had earlier demanded the Federal Government’s explanation behind the rumoured coup that led to the arrest of some army officers by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The party, in a statement by the interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the sudden change of leadership of service chiefs by President Bola Tinubu left much to be desired.
“While we acknowledge that the president, as the Commander-in-Chief, reserves the power to make such changes as he may deem fit, we are somewhat concerned that this change is coming in the wake of widespread rumours of an attempted coup,” the statement added.
ADC recalled its earlier view that the reactions of the government to the dangerous rumour of a coup plot, and said it had “veered between deliberate obfuscation and outright confusion in a matter that required crystal clarity.”
The party noted that nearly all the service chiefs who have been removed were appointed only 28 months ago, while the current Chief of Defence Staff himself was appointed just a year ago as Chief of Army Staff.
“We also note that 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,” it stated.
ADC said the Federal Government owes Nigerians an explanation for the change, adding that as an opposition political party, its interest remains the stability of the country and its democracy.
The party expressed concerned fear of the nation’s democracy in view of developments in Nigeria’s neighbourhood of Chad and the Sahel states.
“Without prejudice to what might have happened in recent weeks, it is obvious that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is distracted.
“Insecurity continues to spread with terrorist groups staging a comeback in some parts of the country, while bandits reign supreme in other parts.
“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,” ADC said.
It pointed out at the rumours and conspiracy theories this sudden change portends, and reiterated its earlier position that “the Federal Government must address the issue transparently and reassure Nigerians that our democracy is not under threat.”
