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| Mahdi Shehu. |
Public affairs commentator and activist, Mahdi Shehu, has called on the Nigerian government and military authorities to show transparency concerning the reported coup plot.
In a post shared on X on Monday night, Shehu expressed worry over what he referred to as a coup shrouded in secrecy.
He questioned why the names and details of those allegedly linked to the plot had not been disclosed.
“It has been three weeks since whispers from the vineyard started about an alleged coup,” he stated.
“What was first explained away as a routine issue around failures in promotion exercises has now grown beyond mere speculation.”
According to him, during the past two weeks, quiet rumours had transformed into moderate discussions about military officers being detained across the country for alleged acts of indiscipline and insubordination.
“But within the last week, all cowardly excuses have given way to a fact that there was indeed a plan to overthrow the government.”
Shehu criticised the silence of the authorities, pointing out that in many other nations, it is normal practice to display those accused of plotting a coup to the public after a failed attempt.
“World over, the culture of failed coups is for the coup plotters to be paraded in public, handcuffed, legs chained, with their ranks, state of origin, and other details made known to the public.
“Subsequently a military tribunal is set up to try them and pass a judgement which is subject to appeal,” he said.
He stressed that Nigerians deserve transparency in the matter, warning that keeping such information secret could fuel unnecessary fear and mistrust.
“Nothing is known about those involved. Nobody knows if they have access to legal representation or to their family members,” he lamented.
Shehu further cautioned that the authorities’ continued silence might worsen the situation and heighten speculation.
“Continuing this hide and seek will only make matters worse, create doubt, confusion, and even a leeway to call it a phantom coup,” he said.
The activist insisted that citizens have a right to be fully informed about any issue that threatens the nation’s democracy.
“Nigerians are entitled to know the identity of those ‘enemies of democracy’,” Shehu added.
He concluded by urging the government to end what he described as “play in darkness, beneath-the-earth power games, and treachery.”
Meanwhile, the military has dismissed allegations of a coup attempt, explaining that recent arrests were connected to internal disciplinary actions.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Director of Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, clarified that the Defence Headquarters’ cancellation of the October 1 parade was not linked to any coup plot.
He explained that the decision was made to allow President Tinubu to attend an important bilateral meeting abroad.
The DHQ added that the move was also intended to ensure that members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) remain focused on ongoing military operations against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.
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