The Presidency has dismissed speculation that President Bola Tinubu’s sudden removal of service chiefs was linked to any alleged coup plot, insisting the move was to inject “new vision and vigour” into the armed forces.

Presidential aide on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told Saturday PUNCH that Tinubu acted fully within his powers as Commander-in-Chief.

“Service chiefs serve at the pleasure of the President. He has the authority to hire and fire,” Onanuga said.

In a major shake-up announced on Friday, Tinubu appointed General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.

Others include Major-General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshall S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

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

The President urged the new service chiefs to enhance professionalism and justify the confidence reposed in them, with the appointments taking immediate effect.

The announcement followed online reports last week claiming some officers had plotted to overthrow the government — reports the Defence Headquarters swiftly denied, describing them as “false and designed to create tension.”

Reacting to continued speculation, Tope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, explained that the decision was purely administrative.

He said the outgoing service chiefs had served two years and that the change was to “inject new direction and energy” into the military.

Ajayi added that Tinubu’s broader goal is to ensure security reforms that would free up funds for other key sectors such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare, noting that “security has taken the largest share of the national budget for 15 years.”

Despite the clarifications, public suspicion lingers, with some Nigerians drawing links between the timing of the sackings and the alleged coup rumours.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the President to offer a clearer explanation for the overhaul, describing the move as one with “far-reaching implications for military stability.”

Security experts have, however, expressed mixed views. Retired Colonel Yomi Dare called the change “a morale booster,” while former DSS director Mike Ejiofor cautioned that “mere leadership changes may not yield results without improved funding and coordination.”

Others urged the new chiefs to focus on soldier welfare, border security, and better operational support.