By Sandra Ugwu 

The Presidency has explained that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to sack and replace the service chiefs was aimed at injecting “new direction and vigour” into the armed forces, not in response to any alleged coup plot.

Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga said Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers as Commander-in-Chief, noting that service chiefs “can be hired and fired by the President.” The President on Friday announced new appointments: General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, 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 retained his role as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The appointments took immediate effect, coming days after online reports claimed that some military officers had plotted to overthrow the government — a story the Defence Headquarters dismissed as false and aimed at causing tension.

Presidential spokesman Tope Ajayi also denied any link between the shake-up and the rumoured coup, saying the decision followed two years of service by the former chiefs and reflected Tinubu’s desire to “inject new vision and energy” into the military. He added that the President intends to address Nigeria’s high defence spending to free up resources for infrastructure, power, education, and healthcare.

Despite the explanation, some Nigerians have continued to link the timing of the reshuffle to the alleged coup. The African Democratic Congress urged the President to offer more clarity, warning that such sweeping changes could affect stability within the ranks.

Security experts expressed mixed reactions. Retired Colonel Yomi Dare said the move would boost morale, while former DSS Director Mike Ejiofor argued that leadership changes alone might not solve insecurity without adequate funding. Analyst Akogun-Abudu Oluwamayowa urged the new chiefs to prioritise troop welfare, saying, “The best welfare for soldiers is not training but ensuring their well-being.”

As the new military chiefs assume duty, expectations remain high for a renewed and more effective security strategy nationwide.