Tinubu’s shake-up aimed at revitalising security, not linked to coup rumour — Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to replace the nation’s service chiefs was driven by a desire to strengthen the country’s security architecture, not by fear of any alleged coup plot.
Speaking on Friday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed circulating reports that the leadership overhaul in the armed forces was tied to whispers of disloyalty or mutiny within the military.
According to him, the President’s action was a proactive step to “inject new direction, energy, and focus” into the security sector, which continues to grapple with insurgency, banditry, and other national security threats.
“The President acted within his constitutional powers as Commander-in-Chief,” Onanuga told PUNCH.
“He can appoint, redeploy, or remove service chiefs at any time he deems fit. This latest decision was not in response to any coup plot, but to bring renewed momentum into the armed forces.”
The removal of the top military commanders including the Chief of Defence Staff and the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force marks the second major shake-up of the security leadership since Tinubu assumed office in 2023.
Sources within the Defence Headquarters say the move reflects the President’s dissatisfaction with the pace of security operations, especially in northern states where bandit attacks and abductions have persisted despite heavy military deployments.
Analysts believe the reshuffle signals Tinubu’s intent to align military leadership with his broader national security strategy, emphasizing intelligence-driven operations, inter-agency coordination, and modernization of defence infrastructure.
Onanuga also cautioned against politicising the President’s decision, describing the rumors of a coup as “baseless and mischievous attempts to distract the government.”
“Those spreading such claims do not understand how the system works,” he said. “The Nigerian Armed Forces remain loyal to the constitution and to the Commander-in-Chief. What the President has done is a normal exercise of his executive prerogative.”
The Presidency’s clarification comes amid heightened speculation on social media following reports of unusual movements of troops in certain military formations earlier in the week. Government officials, however, dismissed those reports as routine operational adjustments.
Security experts say the timing of the overhaul underscores Tinubu’s focus on maintaining stability while driving performance. “What we’re seeing is a leader consolidating his control over the military and ensuring loyalty is matched with results,” said defence analyst Kabiru Adamu.
The newly appointed service chiefs, whose names were released by the Presidency late Thursday, are expected to bring fresh perspectives to ongoing counterterrorism and internal security operations.
Meanwhile, the Presidency reaffirmed its confidence in the military institution, urging Nigerians to support the new leadership as it works to safeguard the nation.
“There is no cause for alarm,” Onanuga assured. “The President wants a more efficient, responsive, and professional military that can deliver on its constitutional responsibilities.”
With the reshuffle, Tinubu appears determined to reassert control over Nigeria’s security landscape not out of fear of rebellion, but from a clear intent to reenergize a critical arm of government in the face of evolving national threats.
