The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide Nigerians with a clear and honest explanation for what it described as a “sudden and surprising overhaul” of the nation’s military leadership.

The appeal follows the President’s recent decision to dismiss most of the Service Chiefs he appointed nearly two years ago.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that the reshuffle came shortly after widespread rumours of an attempted coup.

Abdullahi noted that while the President has the constitutional right to make changes in the military hierarchy, the timing of the decision raises serious questions. He criticised the government’s handling of the coup rumours, saying its response lacked clarity and created public confusion.

According to the ADC, several of the dismissed officers had served less than three years, with the now-removed Chief of Defence Staff only promoted last year. The party warned that such a sweeping change could unsettle the military and threaten internal stability.

The statement stressed that Nigerians deserve a transparent explanation of what truly prompted the action, accusing the administration of being distracted from key security challenges such as insurgency and banditry, which continue to plague the nation.

The ADC further cautioned that the abrupt replacement of military heads could fuel public suspicion and conspiracy theories, urging the government to reassure citizens of the stability of Nigeria’s democracy.

“As an opposition party, our concern is the peace and stability of Nigeria,” the ADC stated, adding that the crises in neighbouring Chad and other Sahel countries should remind the government of the dangers of political distraction amid rising insecurity.