A Nigerian Army Colonel, Mohammed Ma’aji, has revealed that growing insecurity, corruption and economic hardship were among the major grievances that allegedly drove a group of military officers to consider overthrowing President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Ma’aji, according to Premium Times, said discussions about military intervention began in 2023, towards the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, when he claimed corruption and nepotism had become widespread.
The colonel said the deteriorating security situation and what he described as poor responses from senior military authorities further heightened dissatisfaction among some officers.
“Things particularly got out of control towards the end of Buhari’s administration when corruption and nepotism became the order of the day,” he said.
According to him, the officers involved in the alleged plot shared what he described as a sense of patriotism and a desire to bring about positive change in the country.
“Most of the officers involved share the same sense of patriotism, love of country and genuine desire for positive change,” Ma’aji stated.
He disclosed that the alleged plan was initially put on hold because of funding, logistics and manpower challenges, adding that he personally financed some of the early activities.
Ma’aji claimed that one Army major contributed N1 million to the project, while another officer allegedly provided financial support in dollars on different occasions.
He said the alleged coup plan was revived in 2024 after he failed for the second time to secure promotion to the rank of Brigadier General.
However, Ma’aji insisted that the promotion setback was not the primary reason for his involvement, stressing that his concerns were broader and centred on the country’s political, economic and security challenges.
He cited the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange reforms, taxation, rising electricity tariffs, corruption and worsening insecurity as some of the issues that fuelled dissatisfaction.
The officer also referred to the government’s handling of the #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protests, arguing that the events had deepened frustration among many young Nigerians already affected by unemployment and economic hardship.
His account provides an insight into the grievances he said informed discussions about military intervention, although the alleged coup plan was ultimately unsuccessful.
