Mahdi Shehu has demanded transparency from FG and Military over alleged coup plot.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that prominent activist and public commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has urged the Federal Government and Nigerian military authorities to provide full disclosure regarding the alleged coup plot circulating in public discourse.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday night, Shehu expressed alarm over what he described as “a coup shrouded in darkness,” questioning why the government has remained silent and failed to release details about those allegedly involved.
“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 promotion failures has now grown beyond mere speculation.”
According to Shehu, within the past two weeks, reports have emerged of several military officers being arrested nationwide for alleged insubordination and indiscipline — arrests he now believes are tied to a deeper plot.
“But within the last week, all cowardly excuses have given way to a fact that there was indeed a plan to overthrow the government,” he alleged.
Shehu criticized what he described as the government’s “culture of secrecy,” insisting that transparency is vital in cases involving national security.
“World over, the culture of failed coups is for the plotters to be paraded publicly — handcuffed, identified by name, rank, and origin — before being tried by a military tribunal,” he said.
The activist lamented that no details have been released about the alleged suspects, including whether they have access to legal representation or their families.
“Continuing this hide and seek will only make matters worse, create doubt, confusion, and even a leeway to call it a phantom coup,” he warned.
Shehu emphasized that Nigerians have the right to know about developments that threaten the nation’s democratic order, urging the government to end what he called “beneath-the-earth power games and treachery.”
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has repeatedly denied reports of any coup attempt, clarifying that the ongoing arrests were linked to internal disciplinary actions within the Armed Forces.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, the DHQ also dismissed claims that the cancellation of the October 1 parade was connected to any coup plot.
According to the DHQ, the decision was made to allow President Bola Tinubu to attend a strategic bilateral meeting abroad and to enable the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to maintain focus on ongoing military operations against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.