ADC Accuses FG of Using Coup Rumour to Silence Opposition

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of using the recent reports of an alleged coup plot to divert public attention from poor governance and to silence political opponents.

The party made the allegation in a statement on Monday, expressing concern over what it described as mixed messages coming from government officials about the supposed coup.

The ADC said the situation had created confusion and suspicion among Nigerians, especially since the Defence Headquarters had already denied ever mentioning any coup attempt.According to the party, the inconsistent statements from government sources had raised doubts about the credibility of the entire story.

The ADC said it feared the claim was being used to create a sense of fear and justify a clampdown on opposition voices across the country.It alleged that the rumour had been allowed to spread unchecked, giving the government an excuse to target political rivals under the guise of national security.

The party warned that such actions could threaten democratic freedom and deepen public distrust.The ADC called on the government to issue a clear and direct statement to end the confusion and avoid using security concerns as a political tool.In response, the Federal Government maintained its trust in the Nigerian military, describing the coup report as false and mischievous.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said there was no reason to doubt the military’s loyalty and commitment to protecting the country.

The Defence Headquarters also dismissed reports linking some detained military officers to a failed coup attempt. It explained that the officers were undergoing a routine internal investigation, adding that there was no cause for alarm.

The military said the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade was purely an administrative decision to allow President Bola Tinubu attend international meetings and to sustain military operations against insecurity.

Authorities assured Nigerians that democracy remains intact and that the military is fully dedicated to defending the nation’s stability and peace.