Tag: COUP

DHQ dismisses alleged coup report, reaffirms loyalty to Tinubu

Aminu Imam
DHQ dismisses coup plot

The Defence Headquarters, (DHQ), has dismissed as ‘false and malicious reports’ linking the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary activities to an alleged coup attempt by some military officers. Earlier reports yesterday had claimed that the 16 detained officers – ranging from the rank of Captain to Brigadier General – were arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for allegedly holding secret meetings to topple the Government. The report also alleged that the cancellation of the Independence Day parade on October 1 was connected to the purported plot. However, in…

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Presidency dismisses call for military takeover, says “Tinubu not weak”

Aminu Imam
Presidency on coup calls

The Presidency has declared that President Bola Tinubu is not weak to allow room for the military to take power from him. Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the remark in response to an editorial published by The Guardian newspaper, titled: ‘Misery, harsh policies driving Nigerians to desperate choices’. In an open letter condemning the editorial, Onanuga accused the news platform of attempting to incite unrest against Tinubu’s administration, saying the story “openly incites unrest against President Bola Tinubu’s administration and advocates regime change under the…

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“Why military coups succeed” – Ex Head of State, AbdulSalami

Aminu Imam
AbdulSalami

Former military Head of State, AbdulSalami Abubakar, says military coups will not happen if politicians don’t encourage it through their unsettling actions and inactions. He stated that soldiers capitalise on citizens’ discontent, social upheaval and treacherous political climate to topple civilian government. Recall that AbdulSalami was sworn-in as Head of State after the Late military ruler, Sani Abacha, who died in June 1998. He ushered in the Fourth Republic after he relinquished power to democratically-elected Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, keeping to his word of returning the country to civilian rule.…

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Kaduna: Groups condemn calls for coup, war in Nigeria

Aminu Imam

Some concern groups in Kaduna State have condemned calls by some discontent individuals and groups for a coup d’état, or war, in the country. The groups made the condemnation at a news conference in Kaduna yesterday. The conference was convened to declare support for President Bola Tinubu, Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani and Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa’s commitment to democracy and security in Nigeria. The groups consisted of Director, Privilege magazine and Communications Nigeria Ltd, Victor Bobai, and Hussaini Kachia, of Kaduna Citizens’ Forum. Others are North-West coordinator, Nigeria…

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“Coup can’t happen in Nigeria” – CDS assures

Aminu Imam

…Warns political thugs to steer of clear Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi elections The Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has assured that the Arm Forces of Nigeria would resist a coup from happening in the country as has been the case with neighbouring countries, stressing that the military was committed to entrenching democracy. The CDS made the disclosure in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State yesterday, during a visit to the 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, where he was received by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Division, Major-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam.…

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Niger Republic: EU agrees on sanctions framework

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

European Union countries on Monday adopted a framework to impose sanctions on members of a junta that seized power in Niger. The EU Council said the new framework would allow the EU to sanction individuals and entities responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Niger. It added that the framework would also undermine the constitutional order, or constitute serious violations to human rights or international humanitarian law. According to the EU, it aims to mirror and strengthen any measures taken by the West African regional body…

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West African coups outcome of poor governance – ECOWAS Commissioner

Aminu Imam

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah has claimed that one of the things that lead to a rise in coups in the West African Region is the lack of effective governance. Speaking on a television programme yesterday, the foreign political expert said that seven coups had taken place in the region in the last three years. He argued that the military coups in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea shouldn’t be attributed to democracy as a system of government…

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“Coups in Africa irritate me” – Buhari

Aminu Imam

…Says multi-party democracy is the best President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday wondered why some African countries were still descending into the abyss of unconstitutional change of government, saying: “I thought we had finally put that behind us”. The President stated this yesterday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while playing host to a delegation of the Universal Peace Federation. Recalling his experience in military and civilian rule, Buhari said that “multi-party democracy is the best system”. On the Peace Summit being planned for Abuja, which is billed to bring all African countries…

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Sierra Leone: “My husband has Ph.D in staging coups, so nobody can overthrow him”, Says President’s wife

Aminu Imam

The wife of Sierra Leone’s president, Julius Maada Bio, Mrs. Fatima Bio, has said her husband holds a Ph.D. degree in staging coups, and therefore nobody can overthrow him. According to a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) report yesterday, she was referring to the violent protests of August 10th in opposition strongholds which left 31 people killed, including six police officers. The president blamed the protests – which were generally about the high cost of living – on the opposition, alleging that they were part of a plot to overthrow him,…

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‘Bad governance, corruption responsible for coups in Africa’ – US Army chief

Aminu Imam

The Commander, United State of America African Command, General Stephen Townsend, has attributed the spate of coups in some African Countries to lack of good governance and corruption. In the last 18 months, the military has seized power in Mali, Chad, Sudan and Burkina Faso. Speaking during a virtual press briefing on Thursday, Townsend disclosed that the US government and military frowned on the development, saying that it was undermining democracy in the continent. He said, “Soldiers are undermining democracy in Africa. I cannot tell you why there are so…

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