iDeemlawfulPresident Tinubu’s recent overhaul of Nigeria’s security leadership on Friday has stirred reactions from citizens and retired military generals across the country.
The President dismissed General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff and appointed Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as his replacement. Other key appointments include 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, while Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye remains Chief of Defence Intelligence.
This development follows a report by Sahara Reporters about an alleged coup attempt against President Tinubu’s administration. The report claimed that those behind the plot, now in custody, planned to assassinate the President, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Speaking to the Vanguard Newspaper, several retired Generals described Tinubu’s action as “a welcome step” that would rejuvenate the armed forces and restore professional growth. Others believe it will introduce fresh strategies to tackle insecurity nationwide.
One of the Generals said, “It is nothing unexpected! It’s a routine change of service chiefs, having completed their two years tenure. As usual though, people will read meanings to the announcement. I expected this change to happen by November or December this year. It is not written that service chiefs must serve for two years but it is a tradition across all services, to allow for the young officers to move up in order to prevent stagnation and forced retirements.”
“This is routine. It means that we are back to the ideal order of doing things. Normally, Service Chiefs are appointed for a term of two years. They have served two years and in order for the services to have a steady progression without a high attrition, the two years cycle should be sustained.”
“If you recall, in the past, the service chiefs stayed over five years which was a terrible misnomer which unfortunately dislocated the chain of succession in the military leading among others, to early retirement of many highly trained and qualified senior officers who would have served in those positions.. It denied many officers of possible elevation as service chiefs. This unfortunately, resulted in some political maneuvers then”, he added.
Retired General Anthony Atolagbe, in a television interview, said, “there will be excitement in the military because of this change.”
Atolagbe further argued that, “it was the practice for service chiefs to serve for two years until past administrations started extending it. This change will make for career progression and this is remarkable by this administration”.
A serving senior military officer who requested anonymity said, “If the political class genuinely supports the military and wants this crisis to end, it will end. Once the military is given clear direction and freedom to act, there are different ways to deal with these criminal elements.”
In 2023, President Tinubu dismissed all service chiefs and appointed Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser; Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Gen. T.A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral E.A Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff; AVM H.B Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff; DIG Kayode Egbetokun, Acting Inspector-General of Police; and Maj. Gen. E.P.A. Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Following the death of Major-General T.A Lagbaja on October 5, 2024, President Tinubu appointed General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff a month later.
What kind of impact do you think these changes will have on national security? Let us know your thoughts in the comment below.
Afeez Ayinde Saheed
