The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the claims as baseless and an attempt to sow panic among Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the government has “absolute confidence in the Nigerian Armed Forces” and believes the military remains loyal to the nation’s democratic order.
Speaking in an interview with The Punch, Idris said:
“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said. We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria is fully committed to safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country and sustaining the fight against insecurity. The government commends the military and will continue to support them in their task of ensuring national security.”
His statement followed the Defence Headquarters’ earlier rebuttal of a report by Sahara Reporters, which claimed that the detention of 16 officers was linked to a failed coup attempt and the alleged cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day parade.
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, had on Saturday dismissed the report as “fake news intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”
Gusau clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 parade was purely an administrative decision, explaining that it coincided with President Tinubu’s bilateral engagements abroad and the need to allow troops to focus on ongoing military operations against insurgency and banditry across the country.
On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau maintained that it was an internal disciplinary process aimed at maintaining professionalism and discipline within the ranks.
“An investigative panel has been duly constituted, and its findings will be made public,” he stated.
Reaffirming the military’s commitment to democratic governance, Gusau added emphatically,
“Democracy is forever.”
The government’s response comes amid growing speculation on social media regarding alleged divisions within the military hierarchy. However, both the Defence Headquarters and the Federal Government have jointly assured Nigerians that the country’s democracy remains stable and the Armed Forces remain loyal to the Constitution.