Armed Forces to Tinubu: No coup, We are loyal
By Babajide Adekunle
The Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, has pledged loyalty to President Bola Tinubu amid the rumour that some arrested military officers were involved in coup plotting.
Cornet News is reporting that an investigative news publishing platform said, in its report, that some soldiers had recently planned a coup.
It also claimed that the plotters planned to assassinate President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim, president of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abass.
The plotters reportedly planned to strike during the Independence Day parade, traditionally held on October 1, saying the need to stall the forceful change of power led to the abrupt cancellation of the event.
However, the Defence Headquarters dismissed the report as “ false and misleading”. It adds the arrest of 16 soldiers, alluded to in the story, was due to their committing “professional misconduct”, and not for coup plotting. It also states that it is a “routine process” in the military to investigate erring officers.
The DHQ statement explains that the Independence Day activities were cancelled to enable President Tinubu to attend “a strategic bilateral meeting outside the country” — and for the reasons claimed in the report.
It also stated that the President’s unavailability for the commemorative event afforded the “members of the AFN” an opportunity “to sustain the momentum on the fight against terrorism, insurgency and banditry.”
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN)” declared that “the claims by the said publication are entirely false, malicious, and intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”
The military urges the members of the public to discountenance the report, while assuring that “the FG, the legislature and the judiciary are working closely for the safety, development and well being of the nation.”
“Democracy is forever” and the “Armed Forces of Nigeria remains firmly loyal to the Constitution and the Federal government under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” said the statement signed by Tukur Gusau, Brigadier General and Director, Defence Information.
