Politics
Tinubu ‘flouts’ Nigerian Army rules, appoints Oluyede acting COAS
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed an acting Chief of Army Staff in contravention of the Armed Forces’ rules. The president on Wednesday appointed Maj-Gen. Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff. This development is coming after a recent denial about the whereabouts and health status of the substantive COAS, Lt-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Defence Headquarters has dispelled reports that it appointed a senior officer as the acting COAS.
There were viral reports about Lagbaja’s death, which were dismissed by the army headquarters.
Amid the rumours of the COAS’ death, another report emerged, claiming the DHQ had appointed an acting army chief.
The Director of Defence Information, Brig- Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement on October 21 dismissed the rumours, saying there is no provision for an acting COAS in the Armed Forces.
Dismissing any insinuation of a leadership vacuum in the army, Gusau clarified that the Chief of Policy and Plans, Major General Abdulsalam Ibrahim, has been providing routine briefs to the COAS under the Standard Operating Procedures.
He said: “The Defence Headquarters wishes to clarify that it has not announced the appointment of any senior officer as Acting Chief of Army Staff, contrary to speculation by certain media outlets. For the record, no such appointment exists within the AFN.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt- Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, is currently on a well-deserved rest as part of his 2024 annual leave. The AFN is professionally managed, and all Service Chiefs are performing their duties as stipulated in the Constitution of the FGN. Major General Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans, is providing routine briefs to the COAS in accordance with SOP.”
However, in a shocking twist, the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Wednesday announced that Oluyede would hold sway as the COAS in acting capacity pending the return of Lagbaja, who is said to be indisposed and receiving treatment abroad.
He said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
“Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
Until his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the Elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.
The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992.
He rose to the rank of Major-General in September 2020.
Oluyede has led many commands since his commissioning as an officer.
He was Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, Commandant Amphibious Training School.
Oluyede participated in several operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East theatre of operations, where he commanded 27 Task Force Brigade.
By: Babajide Okeowo
Military and security officials in Benin Republic have apprehended approximately a dozen soldiers, including the key ringleaders, following a failed coup attempt. Sources revealed that 13 individuals were detained, most of whom are active military personnel, with one former soldier among the suspects.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The arrests came after a group of officers, calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation, appeared on national television on Sunday morning, claiming to have removed President Patrice Talon and dissolved all state institutions. The officers asserted that they had seized control of the government.
The presidency, however, confirmed that President Talon is safe and that loyalist forces are restoring order. Authorities described the coup attempt as the work of “a small group” with limited reach, adding that the city and the country remain secure.
Regional bloc ECOWAS has condemned the attempted takeover, describing it as a serious and unacceptable challenge to the democratic will of the people. In a statement issued in Abuja, the Commission called for strict adherence to the country’s Constitution and praised the efforts of the government and the Republican Army in regaining control. ECOWAS warned that the plot’s leaders would be held accountable for any loss of life or property arising from their actions and reaffirmed its full support for Benin, including potential deployment of the regional standby force if necessary.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar met with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan at his residence in Abuja on Saturday. According to reports, Atiku shared the update on his handle on Sunday, noting that the visit followed Jonathan’s recent return from Guinea-Bissau.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
While specific details of their discussions were not disclosed, the meeting is widely interpreted as part of preparatory consultations ahead of the 2027 elections. Atiku described the encounter as a pleasure, stating, “It was a pleasure catching up with former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday evening, following his recent return from Guinea-Bissau.”
Separately, Atiku’s Senior Political Assistant, Olarenwaju, attributed the former Vice President’s actions against Jonathan in 2015 to a breach of a gentleman’s agreement. Speaking during an Space discussion titled “APC Must Go,” Olarenwaju explained that his alignment with Atiku was motivated by a broader vision for Nigeria’s progress. He said, “Most of the answers I’m going to give tonight are not just based on my deliberations with Atiku, they are based on my desire for a better Nigeria. At the end of the day, if Nigeria is better, my life is better and easier as a Nigerian. So I only find myself with Atiku; in 2015, I didn’t find myself with Atiku, I found myself on the side of Goodluck Jonathan.”
According to reports, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, was conferred with the prestigious chieftaincy title of Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodu’a during a ceremony in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Sunday. The event, held at the Palace Square of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, coincided with the monarch’s 10th coronation anniversary.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Senator Tinubu arrived at the palace around 1 PM, greeted with fanfare and stringent security measures. She was received by Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and his council of chiefs. The occasion drew an array of notable dignitaries, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
The installation ceremony proceeded with the attendance of numerous guests, celebrating both the First Lady’s new traditional title and the Ooni’s decade-long reign.
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