The Presidency has cautioned that recent media reports alleging coup plots are damaging Nigeria’s economy and discouraging foreign investment.
Speaking on Arise News’ Prime Time programme on Thursday, Special Adviser to the President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, warned that sensational stories about national security could erode investor confidence and harm the country’s reputation.
“When a country is looking for investment and the media are shouting ‘coup attempt,’ it scares investors away. Stories like that can destroy the country’s reputation and economy. We need to wait for facts, evidence, not rumours,” Onanuga said.
Onanuga urged the media and the public to exercise restraint, stressing that official investigations must be allowed to run their course before conclusions are drawn.
He explained that although the military had confirmed some arrests were under investigation, “no credible evidence had been established linking them to a coup attempt.”
He cautioned that rushing to publish unverified claims could have “grave national consequences.”
The presidential aide also criticised what he described as a rising appetite for sensationalism and online traffic at the expense of national stability.
“Some media outlets ran with the story for clicks and attention. But as patriotic Nigerians, we must know that what we report has implications for our economy and stability,” he said.
Onanuga acknowledged citizens’ distrust of official communication but insisted this did not justify spreading unverified claims.
“It’s true people don’t always trust government, that happens everywhere in the world. But the media also have a social responsibility to be cautious and wait for facts,” he added.
His comments came two weeks after Sahara Reporters published a story alleging that some military officers were plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.
The Defence Headquarters quickly dismissed the claims. Its spokesperson, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, said the arrests linked to the report were related to “issues of indiscipline,” not a coup attempt.
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