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