25 October 2025 – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide Nigerians with transparent explanations regarding the abrupt replacement of the country’s military service chiefs, amid swirling rumours of an attempted coup.

In a press statement issued on 24 October, the opposition party expressed concern over the timing of the changes, which follow widespread speculation about a potential plot against the government. While acknowledging the President’s constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief to appoint or remove military leaders as he sees fit, the ADC emphasised the need for honesty and clarity in such matters.

The party restated its previous position that the government’s responses to the perilous rumour have ranged from intentional vagueness to evident disarray in a situation demanding absolute transparency.

The ADC pointed out the comparatively brief terms served by the dismissed officials, observing that almost all the service chiefs who have been replaced were appointed only 28 months ago. It also noted that the current Chief of Defence Staff had held his prior position as Chief of Army Staff for just a year before his latest appointment.

The party cautioned that choices of this scale have profound and extensive consequences for stability among the troops and thus could not have been decided upon without compelling motives.

The statement ended by pressing President Tinubu to be forthright with Nigerians about the actual reasons for the overhaul, in order to eliminate uncertainties and build confidence among the public.

This development occurs during a period of increased political strain in Nigeria, although the government has not yet addressed the ADC’s calls directly.