Coup plot to overthrow Buhari looms

• Military denies involvement

The Nigerian military has denied involvement in an alleged coup plot to overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari who is expected to be inaugurated for a second tenure on May 29, 2019.  The Defence Headquarters, thus, dissociated the various arms of the Nigerian military from the circulation of a document calling for the overthrow of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

National Daily learned that certain unknown persons have been circulating a document calling for the appointment of an interim national government to replace the current government that would supervise a smooth transition after fresh elections for a new government of the people; an action construed by the military as a coup to overthrow President Buhari. The Deputy Director of Defence Information, Muhammed Wabi, therefore, accused the “Nigerian Continuity and Progress’’ group as being behind the document.

The Director remarked that the document called for the setting up of an “interim government’’ in place of the democratically elected government.

The Defence Headquarters, therefore, advised the public to disregard the documents, stating that the armed forces would not undermine democracy as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended.