The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using a “fake coup plot” to silence opposition voices and divert public attention from Nigeria’s growing economic and governance problems.
In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the government was “politically weaponising” a false coup story to create fear and justify clamping down on critics.
The controversy began after reports surfaced online claiming that some military officers and a former southern governor had been arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government. However, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) quickly denied ever mentioning any coup attempt, dismissing the story as false.
Despite the military’s denial, the Federal Government has not issued any official statement to clear the air — a silence the ADC describes as “too suspicious to ignore.”
“If the military has denied any coup attempt, why is the government silent?” the party asked. “That silence suggests deliberate manipulation — a calculated attempt to create fear, stoke sympathy, and justify a clampdown on dissenting voices.”
The ADC argued that the government’s refusal to clarify the situation is deepening public confusion and raising fears that the entire coup story was “manufactured” to distract Nigerians from pressing issues like inflation, unemployment, and insecurity.
“What is clear,” the party said, “is that this administration is desperate. It is weaponising national security to silence critics, surveil opposition figures, and crush legitimate dissent. That is the very definition of civilian dictatorship.”
The ADC emphasised that it fully supports democracy and opposes any form of dictatorship — whether from the military or a civilian government that acts like one.
It urged the government to tell Nigerians the truth about the alleged coup plot and stop using fear tactics for political gain.
“If there truly was a security threat, Nigerians deserve to know the truth. What must not happen is the use of false alarms to justify political persecution,” Abdullahi stated.
The party concluded by warning citizens to stay alert and defend democratic values, saying:
“Dictatorship, whether in khaki or agbada, has no place in modern Nigeria.”
In simple terms, the ADC is saying the government might be using the story of a fake coup to scare people, target opposition politicians, and distract everyone from its poor performance — and they’re calling for honesty, transparency, and protection of democracy.
