Opposition Party Calls for Transparency Amid Rumours of Coup Attempt, Says Decision Fuels Anxiety and Distrust
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu provide a full and honest explanation to Nigerians regarding the sudden dismissal of the country’s service chiefs.
The opposition party, in a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said while it acknowledges the President’s constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief to appoint or remove service chiefs, the circumstances surrounding the latest shake-up within the military establishment require transparency and public communication.
Abdullahi said the decision to remove the service chiefs at a time when the nation is battling insecurity and rumours of political instability has generated widespread speculation that cannot be ignored.
“We acknowledge that the President reserves the power to make such changes as he may deem fit,” the ADC stated. “However, we are somewhat concerned that this change is coming in the wake of widespread rumours of an attempted coup.”
The party’s statement comes days after the Defence Headquarters denied reports alleging that Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebration was cancelled due to an attempted coup by some military officers. The Defence authorities dismissed the claims as “false and malicious,” insisting that there was no threat to national stability.
However, the ADC insists that the government’s handling of the situation has been “confusing and evasive,” describing the communication from official quarters as lacking coherence and credibility.
“The reactions of government to the dangerous rumour have veered between deliberate obfuscation and outright confusion in a matter that required crystal clarity,” Abdullahi said. “Rather than providing clarity, the administration’s approach has left citizens guessing and deepened public anxiety.”
The ADC also questioned the rationale behind the sudden overhaul of the military leadership, noting that several of the affected service chiefs had been in office for less than two and a half years, while the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff had served only about a year as Chief of Army Staff before his recent appointment.
According to the ADC, such rapid and sweeping changes in the military hierarchy suggest that there may be deeper reasons for the decision, which Nigerians deserve to know.
“This kind of decision has serious and far-reaching implications for stability within the ranks of the armed forces and therefore could not have been taken without strong reasons,” the statement added.
The party stressed that its concerns are not rooted in partisanship but in the national interest, warning that Nigeria’s fragile democracy could be undermined if the government fails to manage perceptions around the move.
“As an opposition political party, our interest remains the stability of our country and the preservation of our democratic order,” the ADC said. “In light of developments in our neighbourhood—particularly the political upheavals in Chad, Niger, and across the Sahel—we are gravely concerned about the implications of this sudden decision.”
The ADC also took a swipe at the Tinubu administration, accusing it of being distracted by political maneuvering rather than confronting the worsening security challenges facing the nation.
“Insecurity continues to spread across the country, with terrorist groups regaining strength in the North-East, while bandits and criminal gangs reign supreme in the North-West and parts of the North-Central,” the statement noted.
“Instead of addressing these challenges head-on, the government appears more preoccupied with internal power plays and regime politics. Nigerians are left to wonder whether the sack of the service chiefs is genuinely about improving national security or merely another political calculation.”
The party warned that the decision, if not properly explained, could further fuel rumours and deepen distrust between the government and the public. It argued that abrupt personnel changes in the military without clear communication risk creating unnecessary tension both within the armed forces and among citizens.
“This action, if anything, will only further promote rumours and conspiracy theories rather than restore confidence,” Abdullahi cautioned.
The ADC emphasized that in an era when misinformation spreads rapidly, the government cannot afford to appear secretive or indecisive on matters of national security. The party said that failure to clarify the reasons behind such a major decision leaves room for speculation and erodes the people’s trust in the administration’s stability.
“The least Nigerians expect from their government is honesty and openness,” the ADC said. “At a time when public confidence is already shaken by economic hardship, insecurity, and uncertainty, what the people need is reassurance, not secrecy.”
The party therefore called on President Tinubu to address the nation directly, explaining the rationale behind the sack of the service chiefs and outlining his strategy for restoring security and confidence in the armed forces.
“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,” the statement read.
The ADC further warned that continuous opacity on national security decisions could worsen instability within the armed forces and embolden anti-democratic elements who might exploit uncertainty to sow discord.
“Our democracy has survived numerous threats since 1999, but it remains fragile,” the party said. “Every action or inaction of government must therefore be guided by the need to strengthen, not weaken, public confidence in the democratic process and national institutions.”
The statement concluded with a renewed appeal to the Tinubu administration to prioritize the security of Nigerians over political calculations, insisting that leadership demands courage, transparency, and accountability—especially during uncertain times.
“Leadership at moments like this requires courage and sincerity,” Abdullahi said. “The government owes Nigerians full disclosure. It must tell the truth, not only to protect its credibility but to safeguard the unity and stability of the nation.”
The ADC’s statement adds to growing voices from civil society and political circles calling on the Federal Government to clarify the circumstances surrounding the sudden military shake-up.
While the Presidency has yet to provide any detailed explanation beyond the official statement announcing the changes, the ADC’s intervention reflects a wider national concern that the move could be symptomatic of deeper unease within the administration.
For many observers, the ball is now in President Tinubu’s court to calm public nerves by speaking openly about his reasons and reassuring the nation that democracy remains firmly on course.
Until then, the ADC warns, the lack of transparency will continue to breed suspicion and uncertainty at a time when Nigeria can least afford instability.
