A Nigerian Army Colonel, Mohammed Ma’aji, has disclosed the main reason he planned a coup to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
According to Premium Times, Ma’aji said worsening insecurity, corruption and economic hardship are among the grievances discussed by those allegedly involved in the failed coup.
Ma’aji stated that discussions about military intervention began in 2023, towards the end of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“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.
The Army Colonel expressed the belief that senior military authorities should have responded more forcefully to the deteriorating security situation, adding that the group subsequently began identifying officers who shared similar concerns.
“Most of the officers involved share the same sense of patriotism, love of country and genuine desire for positive change,” he wrote.
Ma’aji further disclosed that the alleged project was initially shelved because of inadequate funding, logistics and manpower, claiming that much of the early financing came from his personal resources.
He explained that one Army major contributed N1 million, while another officer allegedly provided dollars on several occasions.
The military officer revealed that the alleged coup plot was revived after Ma’aji failed for a second time to secure promotion to the rank of Brigadier General in 2024, stressing that his failed promotion was not the principal reason for the alleged movement.
Ma’aji cited dissatisfaction with fuel subsidy removal, exchange-rate reforms, taxation, electricity tariffs, corruption and insecurity.
He also referred to the handling of protests such as #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance, claiming that many young Nigerians had become frustrated over unemployment and economic hardship.