By Steve OsuJi
RUMOURS OF COUP: It’s not just about the rumoured putsch, everything about this government seems to be in the mire currently.
But when military officials begin to openly discuss that sacrilegious matter, then there’s indeed trouble in the land.
As always, it started as subdued murmurings in September. It was so much in the open that a certain tainted and self-proclaimed prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele hinted at it weeks ago.
The matter however became grave when the ceremonies to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence celebration was cancelled.
NEVER WAS INDEPENDENCE PARADE CANCELLED: One cannot remember in recent memory, when a sitting Nigerian president didn’t take the independence salute.
If anything, it’s a time to reassert the sovereignty of the state. It’s a time
to show military might, ‘renew hope’ and reassure the citizenry that the federal government cannot be cowed or overawed by sub-state elements.
Most presidents would defy the threats of the moment, go out there, stand and take the salute.
Former President Buhari would never have succumbed to such threat. He would have ordered that the parade must go on and he would have gone out there and taken the salute. Even on the pain of death!
IT’S A COUP. NO, IT’S AGITATION: For a matter so deeply sensitive; for a matter that started over a month ago, its disturbing that the military-cum intelligence hierarchies are yet to get to the end of it.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQs) first announced to Nigerians that about 16 officers were being questioned for ‘disciplinary issues.’
A few days later, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) told Nigerians that it’s actually a coup and the 16 officers were being detained and interrogated by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
But the DHQs reinforced its earlier information, by making a release that the detained officers were facing internal disciplinary issues due to unprofessional conducts arising from career stagnation, welfare grievances and all such.
But currently, there seems to be a meeting of minds between the two key offices of the ONSA and DHQs.
There’s an allegation of a possible plan of a security breach. Sixteen military officers have been detained by the DIA and they are undergoing interrogation.
Also, it has come out that some influential civilians, including a former governor may be involved.
Again, as at the last report today, we hear it’s fake news. This means that official news release can actually be fake!
WHERE’S THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF? To any clear-thinking Nigerian, this is clearly a case of absence of leadership, and a lack of cohesion in the military- cum security establishments.
The DHQs is headed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He commands the Service Chief (heads of army, airforce and navy). The ONSA is an adviser to the President, albeit a very special one. Though he may have oversight function on all matters involving the military and security of the country, he cannot supersede the CDS, override or countermand the office. At least never in the public space.
It shows a lack of cohesion and a stark lack of understanding of protocols and lines of communication in the most important assignments in the land.
That there’s clearly no cohesion in the military and security hierarchies. This can only signpost a larger issue of a weak and inept C-in-C.
Where was the president as coups and rumours of coups are being bandied in the public space?
If ever there was the slightest suspicion of a coup, one would expect a meeting (of minds) between the C-in-C, ONSA and DHQs before a word, yes, one word of a coup, would go out to the public. If the presidency was awake, why are Nigerians buffeted with conflicting reports from people who should be offering impregnable reports? Why wouldn’t the government wait until all the facts were gathered?
ARE THINGS FALLING APART? Apart from shutting down the 2025 Independence Day and the coup drama, several other burning issues would have many Nigerians wondering what exactly is going on.
The messy matter of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy; the near overrun and takeover of Katsina state by bandits; unmanageable ASUU strikes; uncertainty over the state of health of Mr Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and coordinating Minister for the Economy; and the breaking news of Boko Haram overrunning the Nigerian Army Tank Battalion, in Kashimiri, Bama LGA of Borno State.
Shall we also add the Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu protests?
Starting with the presidential prerogative of messy pardons; the country, nay, the world has been scandalised by the list of people granted pardon: hardened terrorists, drug dealers, and all sorts.
This speaks volumes about the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice (OAJMJ). It speaks volumes about poor and abysmal performance.
In other climes, the Attorney-General would have been fired. He has shown that he’s not fit for the job.
CONDOLENCES TO LT. COL. ALIYU PAIKO AND OTHERS: That an army battalion can be overrun within Nigeria’s borders in 2025 is most troubling. That the fight against armed terrorists has been going on for over 15 years without let, makes it all the more worrisome.
And the question is: how long would this so-called fight continue? Nobody seems to talk about strategies to end it. Worse is that the terrorists have put Nigeria’s military on the back foot. They attack and we pursue.
According to a release by the Nigerian Army, there were Boko Haram camps in Kashimiri which were destroyed only after an army officer and men have been killed in a most embarrassing manner. How come the army, the DSS and DIA could not fathom that those camps existed until a military command was attacked and its Commander killed?
IMMINENT FALL OF KATSINA: Going by the current report, 12 out of 34 LGAs in Katsina state have fallen to bandits. Niger and Sokoto States are also threatened.
In Katsina, it is said that LGA chairmen approached the bandit commanders to sign on to their authority. Where’s the C-in-C?
WALE EDUN’S HIDE AND ‘SICK’: For the past one week, the presidency has tortured Nigerians with stories concerning the state of health of the finance minister. If the minister is sick, so be it.
If he has to be treated abroad, so be it. Why are Nigerians openly lied to all the time? Why has public affairs communication become an issue in the presidency!
This government seems to lie glibly; it cares very little about credibility and honour.
Why can’t the matter of the Association of Senior Staff of Universities Union (ASUU) be thrashed and rested once and for all time? Some of us were born into ASUU matter yet it continues to linger till today.
Why is the president embarking on seemingly worthless foreign trips every other week?
WE DON’T GET GOOD NEWS AROUND HERE ANYMORE: In the final analysis, the Tinubu administration doesn’t seem to give the people much to cheer anymore.
It’s either silly politics of elected governors being coerced to decamp to a failed ruling party, or bandits and terrorists worsting Nigerians including our military personnel.
The horizon is darkening, the auguries are dim and life is grim for a majority of Nigerians.
Where’s the President ?
