A Nigerian Army Colonel, Mohammed Ma’aji, has given reasons he says drove an alleged plan to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to Premium Times, Ma’aji linked the alleged coup discussions to insecurity, corruption and growing economic hardship.
He said conversations about military intervention started in 2023, towards the final period of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
“Things particularly got out of control towards the end of Buhari’s administration when corruption and nepotism became the order of the day,” he stated.
Ma’aji said senior military leaders should have taken stronger action as security problems worsened.
He claimed the group later began looking for officers who shared their concerns about the country’s direction.
“Most of the officers involved share the same sense of patriotism, love of country and genuine desire for positive change,” he wrote.
The Army Colonel said the alleged plan was initially put on hold because of funding, logistics and manpower problems.
He claimed some early expenses came from his personal funds.
According to Ma’aji, one Army major contributed N1 million, while another officer allegedly provided dollars on several occasions.
He said the alleged coup plan was later revived after he failed to secure promotion to Brigadier General for a second time in 2024.
However, Ma’aji stressed that the failed promotion was not the main reason behind the alleged movement.
He instead pointed to several wider grievances affecting Nigerians.
These included fuel subsidy removal, exchange-rate changes, taxation and rising electricity tariffs.
He also cited corruption, insecurity and growing frustration among young Nigerians.
Ma’aji referred to the government’s handling of protests, including #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance.
He said unemployment and economic pressure had added to public frustration.
His claims offer an account of what he says motivated the alleged plot.
