The Presidency has dismissed claims that the removal and replacement of Nigeria’s service chiefs were linked to a coup plot.

It was reports that speculation about a planned military takeover surfaced after Sahara Reporters alleged that 16 officers were detained in connection with a plot to oust President Bola Tinubu.

The October 19 report also claimed the cancellation of the Independence Day military parade was tied to growing unrest in the Armed Forces.

However, the Defence Headquarters swiftly debunked the story.

Reacting on Friday, the Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu, on Media and Publicity, Tope Ajayi, told Saturday Punch that the President acted purely to refresh the military command after two years of sustained operations.

“This is not a reaction to any rumour of coups. He is exercising his powers. The service chiefs have done two years,” Ajayi said.

According to him, the change was aimed at injecting “new direction, vision, vigour and energy” into the Armed Forces.

Ajayi explained that the country continues to grapple with multiple security threats, making the leadership overhaul necessary.

“We are fighting security issues, Boko Haram in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, IPOB and ESN in the South-East, kidnapping in the South-West, and other crises in the North-Central,” he stated.

The presidential aide further noted that security operations had dominated national spending, leaving other critical sectors starved.

“In the last 15 years, look at our national budget, security taking the largest chunk. The President wants to deal with this matter once and for all, so that the money going into defence expenditure will be better deployed to fund critical infrastructure like power, roads, broadband, education, and healthcare,” Ajayi said.

Ajayi stressed that the President’s decision was lawful and consistent with constitutional provisions.

“Every appointee of government, whether you are minister, head of agency, or service chief, serves at the pleasure of the President. Nobody has a secure tenure. The only two people in the Federal Government who have a guarantee of tenure are the President and the Vice President,” he explained.

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The Presidency has further clarified that the removal and replacement of Nigeria’s service chiefs were not connected to any alleged coup plot.

It was reports that the Special Adviser to the President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told Saturday Punch that the shake-up was aimed at injecting fresh energy into the military.

“Service chiefs can be hired and fired by the President. He is the Commander-in-Chief. He has the power to hire and fire,” Onanuga said.

On Friday, President Tinubu announced significant changes in the military hierarchy.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, confirmed the appointment of General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.

According to the statement, Major-General W. Shaibu is now the Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke becomes Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas assumes office as Chief of Naval Staff.

The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retained his position.

Tinubu urged the newly appointed service chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by strengthening professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship within the Armed Forces.

In the statement released by Dare, he stated that the appointments take immediate effect.

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Labour Party’s presidential candidate during the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has said that most Yahoo boys are geniuses who need redirection, not condemnation.

Obi made these remarks in Onitsha, during a youth-led convention, which he attended as a guest speaker.

“I told the youths that some of our so-called Yahoo boys are geniuses who need redirection, not condemnation. Their creativity and courage, if properly guided, can drive innovation and national development. Our challenge is to channel their energy from deception to productive enterprise,” Obi said in a statement released

He cautioned that Nigeria cannot attain greatness while celebrating corruption and rewarding dishonesty. He compared the current vices to those that which is currently affecting the political class.

He said while money is necessary, it represents only a small part of true wealth, which, he said, rests on integrity, character, and purpose.

“Real wealth uplifts both the individual and society, promotes education, reduces poverty, and creates opportunities for others to live dignified lives,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor revealed that he had cut short his travels because he felt the urge to encourage many of the youths upon his arrival from the United Kingdom.

Obi faults leadership following IMF’s omission of Nigeria from Africa’s top growth list

“I went straight to Onitsha and was glad to be part of the event because it addressed a vice that has eroded our values, the greed for material possessions,” Obi said.

He condemned violence that comes in the form of religious attacks, saying that, whether Christians or Muslims, or traditional worshippers, fairness and merit are what Nigerians need.

“Finally, I reminded everyone that no religion or tribe buys bread cheaper than another. Nigeria is blessed with abundant resources; what we lack is the will to do what is right. Once we embrace justice, fairness, and merit, our nation’s greatness will naturally unfold” he concluded.

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