AfriPulse
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized the Federal Government for keeping silent over the alleged attempted coup involving some military officers, saying its failure to clarify the matter is heightening public anxiety and creating room for dangerous speculation.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the government’s inaction as “deeply concerning,” especially in a democracy still recovering from the scars of past military interventions.
Recall that on October 18, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) dismissed as false and misleading reports by an online medium alleging that activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary were cancelled due to an attempted coup plot.
The DHQ, in a statement by its Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, clarified that the arrest of sixteen officers, which sparked the rumours, was part of a routine internal disciplinary process unrelated to any coup attempt.
It added that the decision to cancel the parade was simply to enable President Bola Tinubu to attend a strategic bilateral meeting abroad and to allow troops sustain operations against terrorism and banditry.
However, Abdullahi said the Federal Government’s refusal to publicly address the matter, even after the DHQ clarification, had allowed confusion and suspicion to spread among citizens.
“But as the story continued to spread and grow, the Federal Government did not say anything,” Abdullahi said.
“An allegation of a coup is a very, very serious matter. It’s something we thought we had left behind as a country. When such stories emerge, the Federal Government has a duty to come out and reassure Nigerians.
“Either corroborate the Defence Headquarters’ submission that there is no such thing, or, if there’s a contrary position, tell Nigerians the truth. But the government said nothing, allowing the story to fester.”
He said while the Defence Headquarters had given its explanation, the continued silence from the Federal Government was “unacceptable,” especially after subsequent reports alleged that a former governor and some politicians were being investigated in connection with the alleged coup.
“As opposition party, we are worried because everything is being shrouded in secrecy. Was there an attempted coup or not? If there was, why is the Defence Headquarters saying there wasn’t? If there wasn’t, why is the Federal Government keeping quiet?” he asked.
According to him, such opacity could provide “nebulous excuses” for the government to begin to target opposition leaders under the guise of national security concerns.
“This kind of lack of transparency creates room for excuses and pretexts to haunt opposition figures in the country, including leaders of parties like ours,” he said, insisting that the government had a duty to speak to citizens and clear the air as keeping silent was dangerous.
“Regardless of the imperfections of our democracy, Nigerians do not want to return to military rule. Even the slightest rumour of a coup should be quashed immediately.
“The military have their own internal processes and operate in secrecy, but the Federal Government cannot operate in equal secrecy. It is a democratic government, and it owes citizens the truth,” he stressed.
Abdullahi also linked the issue to broader concerns about government communication and accountability. He maintained that if the Federal Government had immediately and clearly stated that there was no coup attempt, the rumour would have died instantly.
“But keeping quiet allowed it to swell and spread,” he added.
Turning to the recent #FreeNnamdiKanu protests, Abdullahi said the ADC had yet to take an official position on the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, but insisted that citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful protest.
He noted that while Kanu’s case remains before the court, ADC would not interfere in judicial proceedings urging the government to act consistently and uphold the rule of law in handling such sensitive matters.
“Without prejudice to Nnamdi Kanu’s case, the right to protest is a democratic right. If we say we abhor military rule, one of the reasons is because we want citizens to be free to express themselves.
“Citizens have the right to march peacefully and show their grievances. That does not mean government must agree, but it must allow room for expression,” he said.
He also criticised the Federal Government’s recent use of the presidential prerogative of mercy, describing the pardon of convicted criminals as a national embarrassment and a sign of policy inconsistency.
“When you release hardened criminals, drug traffickers, and murderers barely two years into their conviction under the so-called prerogative of mercy, that’s a national embarrassment.
“The government has been inconsistent. They announce one thing today and retract tomorrow. This flip-flopping has become the defining characteristic of this administration,” said Abdullahi.
He urged the government to reassure Nigerians that democracy is safe and that dissent would not be criminalised.
Source: TheWhistler | Read the Full Story…
