Ex-Governor Linked to Alleged Coup Plot as Military Probe Deepens

A former governor from a Southern state in Nigeria is reportedly under intense investigation for his alleged connection to the military officers currently detained over a purported plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. This explosive allegation suggests a significant civilian-military dimension to the unfolding drama, raising serious concerns about the nation’s democratic stability.

Civilian Accomplice Suspected
Unnamed sources speaking to a national newspaper yesterday indicated a strong suspicion that the ex-governor financed the alleged coup, which was reportedly scheduled for October 25. The former civilian governor, who is also said to be a former operative in the oil and gas sector, is currently under surveillance as investigators work to establish the nature of his recent interactions with the detained officers.

“Yes, that is true. There are civilian accomplices, including a former governor, but the extent of their involvement is being investigated,” one source confirmed. The source added that the former governor might be invited for interrogation should a credible link to the detained officers be established. This suggests that the scope of the investigation, coordinated by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), is extending beyond the military ranks to include influential political figures from both the North and South.

The Military Detainees
The core of the investigation revolves around 16 Nigerian Army officers, ranging in rank from Captain to Brigadier-General. Several of the detainees, including a Brigadier-General and a Colonel, were reportedly attached to the highly sensitive Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

One of the key officers being investigated is a Brigadier-General from Niger State. Another is a Colonel from Nasarawa State, who is said to hail from an influential family, being a brother to former Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura. Findings in Nasarawa State reveal the officer’s family is in great distress over the allegation.

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DHQ Denies Coup, Insists on ‘Indiscipline’
The military high command, however, continues to categorically deny any coup plot. In a statement on Saturday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), through the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, dismissed the reports—initially broken by online platforms like Sahara Reporters and Premium Times—as “false, malicious, and intended to cause unnecessary tension.”

The DHQ maintains that the detention of the 16 officers is merely a “routine internal process” concerning “professional misconduct,” “indiscipline,” and “breach of service regulations.” The military’s initial statement on October 4, which cited grievances over “perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations,” has been widely viewed by observers as a diplomatic effort to downplay the severity of the situation. Sources indicate this measured response was a deliberate strategy, following consultations with stakeholders, to avoid public apprehension and impact on investors.

General Gusau reaffirmed the military’s unwavering loyalty to the Constitution and democratic governance, declaring unequivocally: “Democracy is forever.” The DHQ has also set up an investigative panel, led by a Major-General, whose findings it promises to make public upon completion.

Public Demands for Transparency
Despite the DHQ’s firm denial of a coup, public scepticism remains high. Many Nigerians have taken to social media, urging the military authorities to reveal the identities of the detained officers and clearly state the specific offences they committed. The opaqueness surrounding the investigation continues to fuel rumours, with citizens demanding full transparency to ensure accountability and maintain public trust in the Armed Forces.

The Defence Headquarters has debunked claims linking the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade to an alleged coup plot reaffirms loyalty to Tinubu’s administration.