Former Deputy Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh, has described President Bola Tinubu’s decision to sack and replace the nation’s Service Chiefs as a welcome and strategic move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
Speaking in reaction to the development, Hon. Jimoh said the decision should not come as a surprise, as it falls within the President’s constitutional powers to reorganize the military leadership whenever necessary.
“It’s not a new thing. The President has the authority to appoint or reshuffle the Service Chiefs to enhance the nation’s security structure,” he said.
“This may have been done to strengthen our national defense system, and it’s a welcome development.”
Addressing rumours circulating in some quarters about an alleged coup plot being behind the shake-up, Jimoh dismissed such claims as speculative and unfounded.
“I’m not in the Nigerian Defence Academy or the military, but whether there are rumours or not, the President has every right to reshuffle his team — whether it’s the Service Chiefs, ministers, or ambassadors. That’s why he is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” he stated.
President Tinubu had earlier approved the appointment of new Service Chiefs following the disengagement of their predecessors. General Olufemi Oluyede now serves as the Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Musa. Major-General W. has been named Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke becomes Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff.
Meanwhile, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
