The Nigerian government has moved to quell mounting speculation over an alleged coup plot, insisting it has full confidence in the military’s loyalty following reports that 16 officers had been detained in connection with an attempt to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told The PUNCH on Sunday that the Federal Government had “no reason to doubt” the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier dismissed the allegations as baseless.
“The Federal Government believes the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to the territorial integrity of the country and the fight against insecurity,” Idris said, adding that the government “commends the military” for its professionalism.
The controversy began after Sahara Reporters published a story linking the detention of 16 officers to a failed coup, allegedly connected to the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day celebrations on October 1. The military swiftly condemned the report, calling it “fake news intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said the parade’s cancellation was “purely administrative” and intended to allow President Tinubu to attend a bilateral meeting abroad while troops remained focused on ongoing anti-insurgency operations.
“The ongoing investigation involving the 16 officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism,” Gusau said. “Democracy is forever.”
Opposition calls for clarity
While the government and military sought to close ranks, opposition parties have called for transparency, warning that secrecy would only fuel further suspicion.
Ladipo Johnson, National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, urged the authorities to disclose the true nature of the charges against the detained officers. “They should let us know what actually happened,” he said. “We ought to know whether the soldiers are facing a court-martial or not.”
The Labour Party’s interim spokesperson, Tony Akeni, accused the military of “speaking with two mouths,” saying conflicting narratives had deepened public uncertainty. “They said those in detention are facing disciplinary measures, yet some sources within the ranks suggest otherwise,” Akeni said.
Similarly, Dr Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, cautioned that public discontent may have fuelled the rumour. “People are hungry and tired of being manipulated,” he said. “We are not surprised the anger has gone that far—even in the military.”
Afenifere warns against ‘calamitous mission’
Amid the speculation, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere issued a stern warning against any attempt to overthrow the government, describing a coup as “an ill wind” that would drag Nigeria backwards.
“The constitution clearly states that government cannot be changed except through constitutional means,” said Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi. “Ambitious officers should not embark on any calamitous mission.”
In a separate statement, the group’s National Organising Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, condemned any contemplation of military rule as “an unmitigated assault on the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“From 1966 to 1979, every coup was justified under the guise of combating corruption, yet corruption persisted,” Omololu said. “Let that history remain a warning, not a temptation.”
He commended the Defence Chiefs for their loyalty to democratic rule and urged any officer with political ambitions to “resign and test their popularity at the ballot box.”
As Nigeria continues to grapple with economic hardship and insecurity, analysts say the government’s swift denial reflects both its sensitivity to growing public frustration and its determination to prevent any hint of instability from taking root.
