The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the Federal Government to immediately clarify the true situation surrounding an alleged coup plot said to involve some arrested military officers.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it takes any threat to Nigeria’s democratic order with utmost seriousness but warned against using such claims as a tool for political persecution or manipulation.
The ADC noted that it has been following media reports linking some detained officers to a purported coup, alongside allegations that a former southern governor was under investigation for allegedly financing the suspects.
“While we vehemently oppose any effort to undermine Nigeria’s constitutional order, we are equally concerned about the potential misuse of such allegations to justify political witch-hunts, suppress dissent, or manipulate public sentiment,” the statement read.
The party also expressed concern over what it described as “conflicting signals” from government sources, pointing out that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had denied any knowledge of a coup plot despite widespread reports suggesting otherwise.
“Such inconsistency raises fears that the coup narrative may have been politically engineered,” the ADC added.
The party criticised the government’s silence on the matter, describing it as a calculated attempt to allow the story to linger unchecked in the public space.
“The federal government’s failure to make a categorical statement, especially after repeated denials by military authorities, shows a deliberate effort to let the story fester. What is clear is that the government may be using the coup story to divert attention from issues of misgovernance and to curry public sympathy,” the statement continued.
The ADC further warned that recent unverified reports implicating unnamed politicians could be used as a pretext for the government to clamp down on opposition figures or place them under surveillance.
“We understand that the APC government is desperate. But such desperation must never be allowed to endanger our democracy or undermine the democratic rights of citizens,” the party said.
The ADC therefore called on the Federal Government to promptly provide Nigerians with clear facts on the alleged coup plot to dispel ongoing speculation. It stressed that if there is indeed a legitimate threat to national security, the government must be transparent and brief the nation appropriately.
“The ADC is resolute in its opposition to dictatorship of any form — military or civilian. We support any legitimate effort to defend our constitution and democracy but reject any attempt to intimidate opposition voices under the guise of national security,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters over the weekend dismissed media reports suggesting that the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary activities was linked to a failed coup attempt.
A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, described the report as “false, malicious, and intended to create tension and distrust among Nigerians.”
The DHQ clarified that the cancellation was due to President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled bilateral meeting abroad and the need for the Armed Forces to maintain momentum in ongoing operations against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.
It confirmed that sixteen military officers, from the ranks of Captain to Brigadier General, were being investigated by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), but explained that the process was a routine internal disciplinary measure.
The military assured that an investigative panel had been set up and pledged to make its findings public upon completion.
