The reports of the alleged coup were exclusively released by SaharaReporters on Saturday.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has cautioned the Bola Tinubu-led administration against turning the alleged coup plot into a weapon for political intimidation or the suppression of dissenting voices.

In a statement issued on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said while the ADC firmly rejects any move to subvert Nigeria’s democratic system, the government must not exploit the situation to stoke fear or persecute opposition figures under the pretext of national security.

“The ADC has been following reports of an alleged coup plot involving some arrested military officers and claims that a former southern governor is under investigation for allegedly funding them,” the statement reads.

“While we strongly oppose any action that threatens Nigeria’s constitutional order, we are equally worried about the possibility of using such allegations to justify political witch-hunts, suppress dissent, or manipulate public opinion.”

Abdullahi said the conflicting statements from government sources, especially after the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, denied knowledge of any coup plot, raised serious concerns about the credibility of the reports.

He noted that the federal government’s “silence” on the matter had allowed the rumour to spread unchecked, fuelling suspicion that it may be politically motivated.

“What appears clear is that the government is using the coup narrative to divert attention from widespread misgovernance and to curry public sympathy,” he said.

“Even more troubling are media reports suggesting unnamed politicians are linked to the alleged plot — a development that could be used to justify clampdowns or surveillance on opposition figures.”

Abdullahi said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) must not allow its “desperation” to remain in power to endanger democracy or citizens’ rights.

“The government has a duty to clarify the true nature of the alleged coup and address the nation transparently if any threat truly exists,” he said.

“It must desist from weaponising national security to silence political opposition.”

The reports of the alleged coup were exclusively released by SaharaReporters on Saturday.

SaharaReporters gathered that the alleged coup plotters are army officers attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

ONSA is led by Nuhu Ribadu, a lawyer and retired police officer serving as National Security Adviser to President Tinubu.

The staff in the NSA office are usually drawn from the Nigerian intelligence, armed forces, law enforcement and paramilitary units.