ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government on Sunday addressed circulating reports of a purported failed coup against President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In an interview with The PUNCH, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the government had full confidence in the military and no reason to question the Defence Headquarters’ dismissal of the reports as false.
On Saturday, the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, condemned a Sahara Reporters article linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup. Gusau clarified that the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day parade was purely administrative, intended to allow the president to attend a bilateral meeting abroad and to ensure ongoing military operations against insurgency and banditry continued uninterrupted.
“Democracy is forever,” Gusau stated, adding that the investigation of the detained officers is a routine disciplinary process within the military, overseen by an investigative panel whose findings will be made public.
Minister Idris described the matter as a “military affair” and emphasized the Federal Government’s trust in the Armed Forces of Nigeria to uphold territorial integrity and combat insecurity. “The Federal Government commends the military and will continue to support them in ensuring Nigeria’s security,” he said.
Opposition parties, however, called for greater transparency. Ladipo Johnson, National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, urged authorities to clarify the charges against the officers and confirm whether court-martial proceedings are involved. Tony Akeni, Interim National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, highlighted concerns over conflicting military statements and called for full disclosure to protect innocent lives.
Civil society voices also weighed in. Dr. Yunusa Tanko of the Obidient Movement Worldwide emphasized verifying the authenticity of the coup report before drawing conclusions, noting that public dissatisfaction with the government may have fueled the rumors.
Meanwhile, pan-Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere warned against any military attempt to seize power, reiterating support for President Tinubu’s administration and Nigeria’s democratic process. Jare Ajayi, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, stressed that military intervention would set the nation back decades and urged officers with political ambitions to resign and seek office through elections.
In its statement, Afenifere condemned any plot to overthrow the government, emphasizing that the military exists to defend the Constitution, not to undermine it. The organization commended loyal officers for safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and reiterated that democracy, not military intervention, is the only legitimate path for leadership and national advancement.
