9News Nigeria (Abuja)
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to address Nigerians openly on the alleged coup plot currently generating public concern, warning against using the matter as a political tool to intimidate opposition voices.
In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it takes any threat to Nigeria’s democratic order seriously but cautioned that the government must not exploit the situation to suppress dissent or silence critics.
The opposition party expressed concern over conflicting reports suggesting that some detained military officers were being questioned in connection with the alleged coup, while another report linked a former southern governor to the purported plot. The ADC noted that the Defence Headquarters had denied confirming such allegations, saying the conflicting narratives raise fears that the entire episode may have been politically motivated.
The party described the Federal Government’s silence as dangerous, arguing that it allows rumours to thrive and distracts public attention from the nation’s pressing challenges. According to the ADC, the situation could be used to justify the surveillance or harassment of opposition figures.
“What is clear, however, is that the government may be using the coup story to divert attention from pressing national issues and create a pretext to clamp down on opposition leaders,” the statement read.
The ADC reaffirmed its support for any legitimate effort to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy but insisted that national security must not become a weapon for political persecution. “We support every lawful measure to defend the constitution, but we reject any ploy to intimidate citizens or the opposition under the guise of national security,” it added.
The party therefore called on the Federal Government to either categorically dismiss the rumours if they are unfounded or brief the nation transparently if credible threats exist. It stressed that protecting democracy also requires respecting citizens’ rights to free expression and political participation.
With Nigeria facing widespread insecurity and economic hardship, the ADC’s statement reflects growing public anxiety about governance, transparency, and the balance between security and freedom in a tense political atmosphere.
