Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his recent decision to reshuffle the leadership of Nigeria’s armed forces. Agbakoba described the move as a bold and timely step, particularly in light of circulating rumours about an alleged coup attempt.
President Tinubu had on Friday announced a major overhaul within the nation’s military hierarchy, appointing a new Chief of Defence Staff alongside other senior officers. The move, according to the presidency, was aimed at strengthening the country’s security framework and improving coordination among the security agencies.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Agbakoba praised the president’s decisiveness, noting that the action reflected a level of firmness that had been missing in previous administrations.
“You have a president who is prepared to take tough decisions, and we know that he likes to take tough decisions,” Agbakoba said. “I think he has done the right thing because his predecessor, the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, did not like to make such decisions and allowed his military team to stay far longer than they should have.”
Recent reports had suggested that the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebrations on October 1 was linked to an alleged coup plot. However, the Defence Headquarters dismissed the speculation, clarifying that the decision to cancel the anniversary event had no connection to any security threat.
Agbakoba further emphasized that Tinubu’s timing was strategic and demonstrated leadership at a crucial moment for the country.
“So, if it is indeed true that there was a rumoured coup, I think he (Tinubu) acted sensibly by doing exactly what he has done,” he added.
