Presidency Debunks Claims of Military Coup Fears in Government

Presidency has dismissed opinions that President Bola Tinubu‘s decision to expand Army divisions was motivated by fears of another military coup or political considerations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

‎

‎Reports says that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, in an interview, said the expansion was informed by the changing nature of the country’s security threats and the need to modernise military structures that have remained largely unchanged for decades.

‎

‎Temitope noted that Tinubu’s administration inherited a security infrastructure designed several decades ago, which has become inadequate in the face of emerging security challenges.

‎

‎According to the presidential aide, the decision to expand army divisions was consistent with Tinubu’s campaign promise to strengthen the country’s security architecture by increasing troop strength, expanding military formations and investing in modern equipment.

‎

‎Ajayi added that the creation of more divisions was intended to improve operational response times by bringing military formations closer to areas facing security threats.

‎

‎He said, “It cannot be the result of any coup attempt. Those making such claims are Nigerians who also desire improved security. The country’s security challenges have continued to evolve, and the President has consistently maintained that our security architecture must evolve to respond accordingly.

‎

‎The presidential aide also disclosed that the Federal Government had established three additional military training depots in Kogi, Ebonyi and Osogbo to complement the existing Nigerian Army Depot in Zaria, adding that each of the new facilities has the capacity to train between 5,000 and 6,000 recruits simultaneously, greatly increasing the military’s training capacity.

‎

‎