Presidency clarifies on dismissal of Service Chiefs, cites standard procedure

The Presidency has announced that the dismissal of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa and other service chiefs is a standard procedure intended to enhance national security.

Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare conveyed this in an interview with DAILY POST on Friday, following President Bola Tinubu’s announcement of the new security appointments that day.

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General Musa has been succeeded by Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Defence Staff. Additional 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. Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye continues as Chief of Defence Intelligence. Dare emphasized that such changes fall within the President’s constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief.

“This is a routine action aimed at enhancing security nationwide. The Commander-in-Chief can make adjustments to both ministerial and military leaders at any time. Similarly, commanding officers of mechanized divisions can be reassigned or removed,” he stated.

This military reshuffle occurs amidst unconfirmed rumors of a potential coup, which both the Presidency and the Nigerian Army have refuted as untrue.