Nigerian Senate’s confirmation of the new Service Chiefs, nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on October 29, 2025, has generated a flurry of reactions from legal luminaries.

As the new military leadership assumes command, three legal practitioners have offered their frank assessments, warning the new appointees of the high stakes involving national security, constitutional loyalty, and military discipline.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Victor Okpara, expressed a mixed but cautiously optimistic outlook, hoping for a more reinvigorated, re-energised military.

Mr Okpara asserted that, despite public perception, the security situation had seen improvements under the immediate past administration compared to the previous one.

“I must say with the greatest respect that under the last dispensation, we equally witnessed some professionalism from the military, the insurgency was being tackled headlong and I believe that under President Tinubu’s government, the security situation, though far from being adequate, though far from being delightful, is actually better than under the previous regime,” he contended.

The SAN, however, expressed disappointment that the military background of the past President did not translate into the expected level of security improvement.

Commenting on the timing of the shake-up, Mr Okpara suggested the change might be less about underperformance and more connected to the recent alleged coup scare.

“I believe that what has actually caused the change of service chiefs may not be unconnected with the alleged coup scare.

“The fact that they have now sacked the service chiefs does not really mean that it is because of a situation where they had underperformed, but probably because of the coup scare and they felt that, oh, how come this was not even discovered,” he noted.

The SAN cautioned against expecting immediate, transformative results merely from a change of guard, observing that many of the new appointees were already part of the existing military structure.

“It’s not about changing, but there’s no difference between six and half a dozen really; it’s the same setup, it’s the same management, the same people.

What we need is institutional change and of course a refocus of where we are and so that at the end of the day, we can have a purpose-driven military which you and I we’re proud of,” he argued.

While issuing a warning about what he described as the pervasive nature of insecurity, the SAN noted that even the seat of power, Aso Rock, is not safe.

Another senior lawyer, Mr. Ige Asemudara, focused his reaction on the constitutional and ethical duties of the new service chiefs, issuing a caution against any thought of political interference.

“The Service Chiefs must be conscious at all times that they have a bounding duty to Nigerians to deliver upon their statutory mandate of defence of Nigeria against external invasion and internal insurrection,” Mr. Asemudara asserted.

He issued a stern warning against the temptation of military adventurism, given the recent whispers of political instability.

“We have heard of a coup and rumour of coup, we must not hear such scandalous behaviour near our noble military officers and men.

“That institution only remains noble when it focuses on protecting and defending us and not when it seeks to usurp powers,” he stated.

Mr. Asemudara was unequivocal on the consequences of any perceived disloyalty or attempt to subvert the democratic order.

He reminded the new leadership of the damning provision of Section 1(2) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as altered), stating that “no unlawful take-over or governance is permitted. It is treason and it will be treated as such.”

He stressed that the only honourable option available to them if they are “displeased or disenchanted about governance or about leadership pattern of our president, is to resign and let other loyal officers take charge.”

On the security front, Mr. Asemudara demanded that the insurgents and terrorists in the North East, North Central, and parts of the North West must be completely rooted out.

He cited poor news coming from Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and other northern states.

Furthermore, he called for the dismantling of illegal militia in the South East, especially in Imo State and other states, emphasising that, “We cannot have states within a state.”

He also rebuked the conduct of some military personnel, citing the alleged oppression of innocent Nigerians in riverine areas, specifically mentioning the Navy’s reported burning of more than 20 houses in Obe-Nla, Obe-Adun, and other parts of Ilaje in Ondo State.

He urged the Chief of Naval Staff to “nip this in the bud” and ensure officers who take laws into their hands are brought to book.

Mary Pam, another legal practitioner, echoed the frustration with the security forces’ past performance, saying she was disappointed with them.”

She expressed a cynical view, suggesting that some officers often fail to respond to attacks in rural areas, claiming they “don’t have any command from the superior.”

She highlighted disturbing rumours that some security personnel “collect monies from these bandits and they allow them to move from one place to the other.” (Nigerian Tribune)

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