Prominent public commentator and activist, Mahdi Shehu, has publicly challenged the Nigerian government and military authorities to provide open details regarding the alleged coup plot that has been circulating as a rumour for several weeks. In a post shared on 𝕏 late Monday night, Shehu described the situation as “a coup shrouded in darkness,” questioning why the identities of those allegedly involved have not been made public.
Shehu noted that three weeks ago, the issue began as mere whispers, initially dismissed as a routine matter concerning failures in promotion exercises. However, he stated that in the last two weeks, rumours of military officers being arrested for indiscipline and insubordination intensified. “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 claimed.
The activist strongly faulted the authorities’ continued silence, arguing that in other parts of the world, those behind failed coups are routinely paraded before the public. He elaborated on this cultural expectation, stating: “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. Subsequently, a military tribunal is set up to try them and pass judgement which is subject to appeal.”
Shehu warned that the secrecy surrounding the arrests could worsen suspicion among the populace. He added, “Nothing is known about those involved. Nobody knows if they have access to legal representation or to their family members. Continuing this hide and seek will only make matters worse, create doubt, confusion, and even a leeway to call it a phantom coup.”
Stressing that citizens have a right to know details of developments that threaten the country’s democratic stability, he stated that “Nigerians are entitled to know the identity of those ‘enemies of democracy’,” urging the government to “end this play in darkness, beneath-the-earth power games, and treachery.”
So far, the Defence Headquarters has consistently denied reports linking recent arrests of officers to any coup attempt. In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the military has maintained that the detention of some officers is connected only to internal disciplinary issues, not a coup plot.
