Mohammed Ma’aji: I Led Coup Plot Against Tinubu Because of Patriotism, Not Ambition

Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, accused of leading an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, has said his actions were motivated by patriotism and concern over Nigeria’s deteriorating condition rather than personal ambition.

Ma’aji said his concerns were shaped by economic hardship, poor governance and what he described as the declining welfare of Nigerians and military personnel.

The Army officer said he loved Nigeria and the military, but became increasingly worried about what he regarded as the country’s gradual decline.

“What has happened has a very long history, and it is driven by patriotism and I love the job and country,” Ma’aji said.

He said his personal struggle to provide for his five children with his salary also contributed to his concerns about the country’s direction.

“Every time I look at how I’m struggling to raise five children with my meager salary, I get worried,” he said.

Ma’aji also expressed concern about the welfare of soldiers, particularly personnel wounded during combat. He alleged that some injured soldiers at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna were not receiving adequate care.

According to him, the conditions affecting military personnel reflected wider problems within the country and strengthened his belief that urgent action was needed.

“The summary of all this is that this action was driven by the desire to have a prosperous nation and country that we all can be proud of,” he said.

Ma’aji acknowledged that officers were being mobilised for the alleged plot but insisted that the plan had not reached the stage of execution before his arrest.

He said the group was still trying to identify and mobilise officers who shared similar concerns, adding that no date had been fixed for the alleged operation.

“The plan was to get enough officers of like minds who could participate. We were still at the stage of mobilizing to get more officers involved,” he said.

The colonel also denied foreign involvement in the alleged plot. He said he personally funded much of the activities, while former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, allegedly contributed about N400 million.

Ma’aji said dissatisfaction among some soldiers and his failed promotion attempts also contributed to the revival of what he described as the movement.

He called for the establishment of a formal channel through which military officers could raise concerns with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, without fear of victimisation.

The officer recommended improved remuneration, welfare packages, pension benefits and educational support for military personnel. He also called for stronger measures against corruption within the country and the armed forces.

Ma’aji criticised the removal of the fuel subsidy, arguing that the policy should have been phased out gradually.

Following his arrest, he appealed to the authorities for leniency, saying his interaction with the panel had changed his perspective.

He maintained that the alleged plot was not intended to destabilise Nigeria but was driven by what he described as patriotism and a desire for a more prosperous country.

The alleged coup plot, uncovered in late September 2025, led to the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade and a shake-up of the military hierarchy, including the removal of Christopher Musa as Chief of Army Staff.