Why Tinubu Replaces Top Military Chiefs— Presidency

By Odekunle Doyin

The Presidency has dismissed claims that the recent overhaul of the armed forces was tied to any alleged coup attempt, saying President Bola Tinubu’s decision was purely a strategic effort to refocus Nigeria’s security architecture.

According to the Presidency, the replacement of the service chiefs was a deliberate move to inject innovation, discipline, and renewed purpose into the military after two years of continuous operation under the previous leadership.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy explained that Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers as Commander-in-Chief, noting that leadership changes in the armed forces are routine.

He stated, “the President reserves full authority to appoint or relieve service chiefs whenever he deems fit.

“He doesn’t require any external reason or event to do so.

Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Tope Ajayi, said the transition reflected the President’s intent to bring “fresh energy and a new sense of direction” to ongoing counter-insurgency and security operations nationwide.

Ajayi stressed that the decision was not triggered by speculation of a coup plot but by the need for adaptive leadership to confront evolving security threats across the country.

He added that after years of battling terrorism, banditry, and separatist tensions, the administration believes the armed forces require leaders capable of advancing new operational strategies and inter-agency cooperation.

Commenting on government spending, Ajayi revealed that the President is concerned about the nation’s heavy financial commitment to defence, which has consistently taken a large share of the national budget.

Ajayi said, “Over the last fifteen years, defence spending has consumed the highest allocation.

“The President wants a long-term solution that will allow more resources to go into power, roads, broadband, education, and healthcare.”

He further reminded the public that every federal appointee whether a minister, agency head, or service chief, serves at the pleasure of the President and can be replaced at any time.

Ajayi stated, “The only officials with guaranteed tenure under the Constitution are the President and the Vice President.

“Everyone else serves at the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief.”

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