The Presidency says there was no attempted coup in Nigeria, urging citizens to stay calm.
It insists online reports are false and fully supports the Defence Headquarters statement.
The Presidency has restated that there was no attempted coup in the country, insisting that it fully aligns with the Nigerian military’s earlier position dismissing such claims as baseless.
This clarification was made by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during a television interview on Tuesday night. He said the Presidency sees no reason to deviate from the statement issued by the Defence Headquarters, which had described the coup reports circulating online as false and misleading.
Rumors of a coup attempt spread across social media after claims that preparations for Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebrations were cancelled due to alleged plot disruptions within the military. The speculation grew even stronger when President Tinubu recently relieved the Service Chiefs of their positions and appointed a new set of security leaders.
However, the Defence Headquarters debunked the narrative on October 18, stating that the country is stable and that no attempt was made to overthrow the government. It emphasized that activities scheduled for the Independence Day anniversary would continue as planned, and that the safety and security structure of Nigeria remains intact.
Dare said the government considers the online reports to be fabrications aimed at misleading the public and causing unnecessary tension. He called on Nigerians to disregard the claims and rely only on verified information from credible sources.
He added that the recent changes in leadership within the armed forces were routine decisions intended to strengthen national security and improve coordination among the military services. According to him, the administration will continue to support the military in carrying out its duty of protecting the nation.
The Presidency also urged citizens to remain calm and avoid spreading information that could cause unrest. It noted that unity and trust in national institutions are important for the peace and progress of the country.
