iDeemlawfulThe Presidency has clarified that the removal of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other security chiefs was a routine decision intended to strengthen national security.
Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to the President, Sunday Dare, disclosed this in an interview with DAILY POST on Friday.
His statement came hours after President Bola Tinubu announced the dismissal of the CDS and other service chiefs. General Musa was replaced by Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
The President also made other key changes within the security hierarchy, appointing Major General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.
However, Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye retained his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
According to Dare, President Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief, has the constitutional authority to make such changes whenever necessary.
He said, “This is routine, meant to boost security across the nation. The Commander-in-Chief can at any time make these changes to both ministerial and service chiefs. In the same way, commanding officers of mechanised divisions can be moved or removed.”
Recall that last week, reports of an alleged coup attempt surfaced, prompting public speculation. However, the Presidency and the Nigerian Army have dismissed the claims, describing them as fake news.
