ADC Accuses Government of Exploiting Alleged Coup Plot to Silence Opposition Voices

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of manipulating reports of an alleged coup plot to suppress dissent and divert public attention from governance failures.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party expressed concern over what it described as inconsistencies in official responses to reports linking some detained military officers and an unnamed former southern governor to an alleged plot to overthrow the government.

While reaffirming its commitment to Nigeria’s constitutional order, the ADC said the unfolding developments suggested a deliberate attempt to politicise national security issues.

“The ADC has been closely monitoring the reports of an alleged coup plot involving arrested military officers and subsequent media claims that a former southern governor is under investigation for allegedly funding the suspects,” the statement read.

“We vehemently oppose any effort to undermine Nigeria’s constitutional order, but we are equally concerned about the potential misuse of such allegations to justify political witch-hunts, suppress dissent, or manipulate public sentiment.”

The party faulted the federal government for failing to make a categorical statement despite the Defence Headquarters’ denial of any coup threat. It said the government’s silence had allowed the narrative to spread unchecked.

“By keeping quiet, the government has deliberately allowed the coup story to fester for whatever reason,” the ADC said, adding that the alleged plot was being “exploited to divert attention from the real issues of misgovernance and to curry public sympathy.”

The party further warned that unsubstantiated reports linking opposition politicians to the alleged plot could serve as a pretext for arbitrary arrests or surveillance.

“We understand that the APC government is desperate. But such desperation must never be allowed to endanger our democracy or undermine the democratic rights of citizens,” the ADC declared.

The party called on the federal government to clarify the true nature of the alleged plot and either dismiss the rumours or transparently brief the nation if any genuine security threat existed.

“The government must desist from weaponising national security as a pretext to silence opposition and political dissent,” it said.

Reaffirming its opposition to both military and civilian dictatorship, the ADC stated that it would support any lawful measures taken to defend democracy but would resist attempts to intimidate legitimate voices under the guise of national security.