The Federal Government on Sunday responded to reports of an alleged failed coup attempt aimed at toppling President Bola Tinubu’s administration, expressing full confidence in the military’s official denial of the claims.
Speaking to The PUNCH, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the government has no reason to question the position of the Defence Headquarters, which dismissed the reports as fake news.
“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated. “The Federal Government believes the Armed Forces of Nigeria are committed to ensuring the territorial integrity of the country and strengthening the fight against insecurity.”
Military Dismisses Sahara Reporters’ Claims
On Saturday, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, issued a strongly worded statement rejecting a report by Sahara Reporters which linked the alleged detention of 16 military officers to a failed coup plot. The report also tied the supposed conspiracy to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebrations on October 1.
Gusau clarified that the cancellation of the parade was “purely administrative,” citing President Tinubu’s international commitments and the need to sustain military operations against insurgency and banditry.
“The ongoing investigation involving the 16 officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” Gusau said. “An investigative panel has been duly constituted, and its findings will be made public.”
He emphasized that “Democracy is forever,” dismissing any notion of political instability.
Opposition Parties Demand Transparency
Despite the military’s assurances, opposition parties are calling for greater transparency surrounding the reported detention of the officers.
Speaking with The PUNCH, Ladipo Johnson, National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), said Nigerians deserve full disclosure.
“They should let us know what actually happened. We have to know the charges and whether they are facing court-martial or not,” Johnson said. “We ought to know. That is part of the due process.”
The Labour Party also expressed concern, with Interim National Publicity Secretary, Tony Akeni, accusing the military of sending mixed signals.
“If it is as severe as we think, we ought to be cautious in making comments. But the military is speaking with two mouths,” Akeni said. “They said the officers are being disciplined, yet sources within the military suggest there was indeed a coup-related issue.”
Akeni urged the military to uphold its constitutional duty and “bring the actual facts to the public” to ensure justice and protect innocent lives.
