Prominent public commentator and activist, Mahdi Shehu, has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to reveal the names and identities of those allegedly involved in a reported coup plot.
Shehu, in a post on his X handle Monday night, urged the federal government and military authorities to be transparent about the issue, questioning the continued secrecy surrounding the matter.
“It has been three weeks since whispers from the vineyard started about an alleged coup,” he wrote. “What was first explained away as a routine issue around failures in promotion exercises has now grown beyond mere speculation.”
According to him, the alleged plot had evolved from rumors into reports of arrests of military officers across the country for “insubordination and indiscipline,” suggesting deeper concerns within the ranks.
“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 claimed.
He criticized the silence of the authorities, arguing that the global norm after a failed coup attempt is to present the alleged plotters publicly.
“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,” he said.
“Subsequently, a military tribunal is set up to try them and pass judgement which is subject to appeal.”
The activist expressed concern over the lack of public information, saying such secrecy could breed tension and mistrust among citizens.
“Nothing is known about those involved. Nobody knows if they have access to legal representation or to their family members,” he lamented.
Shehu warned that continued silence from the authorities could worsen speculation and undermine confidence in the system.
“Continuing this hide and seek will only make matters worse, create doubt, confusion, and even a leeway to call it a phantom coup,” he stated.
He maintained that Nigerians have the right to be informed about any development that threatens democratic stability.
“Nigerians are entitled to know the identity of those ‘enemies of democracy’,” he added, urging the government to “end this play in darkness, beneath-the-earth power games, and treachery.”
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied reports of any coup attempt, insisting that recent arrests were linked to internal disciplinary actions.
In a statement issued Saturday by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the DHQ also dismissed claims that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was connected to any alleged coup plot.
According to Gusau, the decision was made to enable President Tinubu attend a strategic bilateral meeting outside the country and allow the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to sustain momentum in ongoing operations against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.