The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to present Nigerians a transparent and trustworthy clarification for what it referred to as a “sudden and stunning overhaul” of the nation’s army management.
The opposition social gathering’s demand follows the President’s latest sack of many of the Service Chiefs he appointed practically two years in the past.
In an announcement issued by its Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that the reshuffle got here quickly after widespread rumours of an tried coup.
Abdullahi mentioned though the President has the constitutional proper to make modifications within the army hierarchy, the timing of this resolution raises severe questions. He added that the federal government’s response to the coup rumours lacked readability and created confusion amongst Nigerians.
In accordance with the ADC, most of the dismissed officers had barely served three years in workplace, with the now-removed Chief of Defence Workers solely promoted final yr. The social gathering warned that such a sweeping change may unsettle the army and threaten inside stability.
The assertion additional burdened that the federal government owes the general public a full and clear account of what actually prompted the choice. It accused the Tinubu administration of being distracted from vital nationwide safety challenges, declaring that insurgency and banditry proceed to unfold throughout the nation.
The ADC mentioned the wholesale alternative of army heads may gasoline extra suspicion and conspiracy theories amongst residents. It due to this fact referred to as on the federal government to behave transparently and guarantee the general public that Nigeria’s democracy stays steady and safe.
“As an opposition social gathering, our concern is the peace and stability of Nigeria,” the ADC mentioned, warning that the scenario in neighbouring Chad and different Sahel nations ought to function a reminder of the hazards of political distraction in instances of insecurity.
