APC Chieftain Accuses Brigadier General of Leading Failed Coup Against President Tinubu
In a significant development, Joe Igbokwe, a prominent chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has publicly identified Brigadier General Musa Abubakar as the alleged mastermind behind the failed coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu in October 2025. This revelation comes as the Nigerian military high command recently confirmed that certain top officers had indeed plotted to overthrow the administration, with key individuals arrested and facing a military tribunal.
Military Confirms Coup Plot and Ongoing Investigations
The Nigerian military has officially acknowledged the coup attempt, with the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, stating that a probe panel has submitted its report to the appropriate superior authority. According to Uba, those found culpable will be formally arraigned before a military panel and tried in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other relevant service regulations. This confirmation follows earlier reports in October 2025 that high-ranking officers, ranging from captain to brigadier-general, were detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over the plot.
Igbokwe's Allegations and Strong Statement
Reacting to the military's admission, Joe Igbokwe took to Facebook to share an image of Brigadier General Musa Abubakar, alleging that he was the leader of the coup. In a fiery post, Igbokwe asserted that Abubakar would face severe consequences, emphasizing that President Tinubu is serious about his governance agenda. His statement read: "I hear that this is the face of the man who led the coup against PBAT. He will collect well. Some people think PBAT is joking. No sir. He is here to rework, retool, rejig, reposition, refix, rewind and reinstall Nigeria. What you sow you reap. So some people think PBAT na their mate abi? May thunder fire the devil a trillion times."
Public Reactions and Concerns Over Government Credibility
The APC chieftain's comments have ignited a wave of reactions from Nigerians, revealing deep-seated concerns about the credibility and motives of the current government. Many citizens have expressed skepticism, pointing out that the administration initially denied reports of the coup attempt. Below are some notable reactions:
- Ekundayo Ayodele Adeniran questioned Abubakar's promotion: "Who made this clown a Brigadier-General? May trillion thunder fire the person."
- Akinyemi Luqman Agbegi hinted at tribalism: "When Buhari is our president, he never thinks of the coup. Northern too like power."
- Gabriel Abumere criticized the government's trustworthiness: "But you people said there was no coup, na? Hope there's nothing beneath this because this APC government can't be trusted, even 0.000000001% is too much to give to them. Anyhow, let this government stop sinking the nation. That's what concerns us as a people."
- Olubunmi Awoyemi called for harsh punishment: "He wanted to copy Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Death penalty straight."
Broader Context: Regional Instability and Nigeria's Response
This incident occurs against a backdrop of political instability in West Africa, where several countries have experienced democratic disruptions. Notably, Nigeria recently reacted to an attempted military coup in the Republic of Benin, where soldiers sought to remove President Patrice Talon from office. Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed the federal government's position, highlighting concerns over regional security. This follows a military takeover in Guinea-Bissau, marking it as the fifth West African nation to face such challenges in recent times.
The unfolding situation underscores ongoing tensions within Nigeria's political and military spheres, with public discourse increasingly focused on accountability and governance. As investigations proceed, many Nigerians await further updates on the alleged coup plot and its implications for national stability.
