Yoruba Union Slams Tinubu, Says Alleged Coup Plot Exposes Weak, Failing Government

Ikeja, Lagos State– The Yoruba Union, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing the alleged coup plot recently uncovered in Nigeria as a reflection of a weak government that has impoverished its citizens and failed to curb rising insecurity while continually negotiating with terrorists.

In a statement released on Sunday and jointly signed by the Union’s Convener, Olusola Badero, and its Home Director, Princess Balogun, the socio-cultural group expressed deep concern about the direction of the country under President Tinubu’s leadership.

It called on the Nigerian Army to come clean on the alleged coup plot by publicly publishing the offences of the 16 senior officers said to have been arrested and to ensure their trial is conducted transparently to dispel rumours of political persecution or an attempt to silence dissent within the military.

The Yoruba Union warned that the increasing hardship faced by Nigerians, coupled with deepening insecurity and widespread corruption, had created a volatile atmosphere that could easily ignite unrest if urgent measures were not taken.

The group added that a government that fails to listen to the cries of its people is “sowing the seeds of instability and eventual rebellion.”

“We are not in support of any unconstitutional change of government,” the statement read, “but when a government deliberately impoverishes its citizens, ignores their suffering, and protects corrupt officials, the people’s anger becomes a ticking time bomb.”

The group commended SaharaReporters for what it described as “courageous journalism” in breaking the story of the alleged coup plot, noting that the revelation shed light on the growing discontent within the Nigerian military.

It further urged other media organisations to uphold their duty of speaking truth to power, even in the face of government intimidation and threats.

Recalling events from earlier this month, the Union said Nigerians were alarmed when President Tinubu failed to hold the traditional Independence Day celebration on October 1 — the first time in the nation’s 64-year history that such a national event was cancelled.

“Instead of addressing the insecurity, inflation, and hunger that have engulfed the nation, the presidency tried to downplay the situation by claiming that the Independence Day parade was cancelled because of ‘bilateral engagements abroad.’ We find that excuse both insulting and irresponsible,” Yoruba Union said.

“How can the President of Africa’s most populous nation consider a foreign meeting more important than celebrating the country’s freedom?”

The Yoruba Union compared Nigeria’s current political atmosphere to the pre-coup environments in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic — countries where governments were toppled after years of corruption, unemployment, and disregard for citizens’ welfare.

The group warned that unless the Tinubu administration takes decisive steps to restore public trust, Nigeria may soon face a similar crisis.

“History has shown that when leaders become disconnected from their people, and when justice becomes a privilege for the powerful rather than a right for all, the system collapses,” the group stated.

“Nigeria’s judiciary must be reformed to ensure that corrupt magistrates and judges are held accountable for delivering biased judgments that favour the rich and powerful.”

The Union also accused the Tinubu administration of operating in secrecy, withholding critical information about the alleged coup arrests and other sensitive matters that concern national security.

It called for the immediate release of a white paper detailing the identities, charges, and evidence against the detained officers, insisting that Nigerians deserve transparency.

“The Nigerian Army must not be used as an instrument of political manipulation,” Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá warned.

“If indeed those arrested were plotting against the government, the public deserves to see credible evidence. But if this is another attempt to silence dissenting voices within the ranks, then history will not be kind to those behind this deceit.”

The Yoruba Union urged the federal government to take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians through sincere economic reforms, anti-corruption measures, and justice reforms.

The group emphasised that patriotism cannot thrive in a climate of hunger, fear, and oppression.

“Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder, if those in power continue to enrich themselves while ordinary citizens starve, even without a coup, the people themselves may one day rise in a collective revolution to reclaim their dignity and their nation.”