Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general election, has leveled accusations against President Bola Tinubu, claiming that he approved an extravagant retirement package for the recently dismissed Service Chiefs as a means to prevent a potential overthrow of his government.
Sowore alleges that Tinubu prioritized the interests of the sacked Service Chiefs over those of the Nigerian people, offering them enticing benefits to solidify his own political position,
In the previous month, President Tinubu swiftly replaced all former Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Comptroller-General of Customs, appointing new individuals to these positions with immediate effect in June.
Sowore’s claims come in response to a report published by The Punch, which detailed the retirement benefits received by the Chief of Defence Staff, the service chiefs, and other high-ranking officials. These benefits reportedly included bulletproof Sport Utility Vehicles, personal aides, security guards, and allowances for medical treatment abroad.
The individuals set to benefit from these retirement packages are General Lucky Irabor, the former Chief of Defence Staff; Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, the former Chief of Army Staff; Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, the former Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, the former Chief of Air Staff.
Expressing his reaction on Twitter, Sowore suggested that the rumors of a potential takeover of Tinubu’s government during his recent trip to France could hold some truth, considering the lavish retirement packages he has allegedly offered to the dismissed Service Chiefs.
According to Sowore, since assuming the presidency, Tinubu’s actions have consistently favored his own supporters and have been aimed at consolidating his political power.
Sowore wrote:
I think the rumour of their (military) plan to take out @officialABAT before his return from France might be true after all. So far, the interests of ordinary Nigerians have been sacrificed to get Tinubu’s power consolidated.
To the World Bank/IMF, he removed fuel subsidy and commenced defunding public education, to make “foreign investors” and currency speculators happy, he floated the naira, to please his political friends he raided the offices of the @officialEFCC and carted away sensitive criminal investigations materials related to and of PEPs, and to keep the military boys happy, he gave them mouthwatering never-heard-before retirement benefits. #Revolutionnow.
