By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Federal Government has expressed confidence in the Nigerian military amid reports of an alleged failed coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the government’s position known in an interview with newsmen on Sunday. He stated that the administration had “no reason to doubt the military” following the Defence Headquarters’ denial of the alleged coup report.
On Saturday, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, had dismissed a report by Sahara Reporters that linked the detention of 16 military officers to a failed coup.Gusau, in his statement, described the publication as “intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”
He explained that the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day celebration was “purely administrative,” allowing the president to attend a bilateral engagement abroad while troops continued operations against insecurity.
He added, “The ongoing investigation involving the 16 officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism is maintained within the ranks. An investigative panel has been duly constituted, and its findings would be made public.”
Reaffirming the government’s trust in the military, Idris said, “The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said. The Federal Government believes that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is committed to ensuring the territorial integrity of the country and also strengthening its fight against insecurity. The Federal Government commends the military, and it will continue to support them in their task of ensuring the security of Nigeria.”
Opposition Calls For Transparency
Opposition parties, however, have urged the Federal Government and the military to ensure transparency regarding the matter.The National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ladipo Johnson, said Nigerians deserved to know the truth about the alleged plot.
“They should let us know what actually happened. We have to know the charges and whether they are facing court-martial or not,” he stated.
Similarly, the Labour Party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Tony Akeni, expressed concern that the military appeared to be “speaking with two mouths.”
He said, “They said those in detention are there because of some disciplinary measures. Yet, we have sources within the rank and file saying there indeed was an issue of that nature.”
Akeni appealed to the military to “be courageous, according to the oath of their service, to bring the actual facts to the public so that innocent lives do not suffer.”
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, also cautioned against drawing hasty conclusions.
“First of all, you need to establish the truth of the matter before you can suggest punitive measures,” he said.
He added that public frustration over the government’s performance might have contributed to the rumour, saying, “People are hungry and tired of being manipulated. So, we are not surprised the anger has gone to that particular level even in the military.”
Afenifere Warns Against Military TakeoverMeanwhile, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has cautioned against any attempt to disrupt Nigeria’s democracy, warning that a coup would have disastrous consequences.
Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, said in Ibadan that such an act “would set the country back by decades.”
He noted, “The constitution clearly stated that government cannot be changed except through constitutional means.”