The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has cautioned the Federal Government against using the recent reports of an alleged coup plot as a pretext to target opposition figures or suppress dissenting voices.

In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party warned that any attempt to exploit the alleged coup narrative for political gain would endanger Nigeria’s democracy and fundamental freedoms.

The warning came in the wake of media reports claiming that the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) had arrested several military officers, ranging from the rank of Captain to Brigadier General, over alleged secret meetings to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The Defence Headquarters, however, dismissed the reports as “false and malicious.”

Reacting to the controversy, the ADC faulted what it described as the Federal Government’s “conspicuous silence,” arguing that its failure to make a clear statement despite the military’s denial had allowed the rumour to spread and fuel public anxiety.

“The ADC has been closely monitoring reports of an alleged coup plot involving arrested military officers and subsequent media claims that a former southern governor is under investigation for allegedly funding the suspects,” the statement read.

“While we vehemently oppose any effort to undermine Nigeria’s constitutional order, we are equally concerned about the potential misuse of such allegations to justify political witch-hunts, suppress dissent, or manipulate public sentiment.”

The ADC expressed alarm over what it termed “conflicting signals” from government sources, noting that while the Defence Headquarters had publicly denied any knowledge of a coup plot, other reports had continued to circulate, suggesting possible political manipulation.

“Such inconsistency raises fears that the coup narrative may have been politically engineered,” the party said. “By keeping quiet, the government has deliberately allowed the coup story to fester. It is becoming clear that the government is exploiting the narrative to divert attention from misgovernance and curry public sympathy.”

The statement further warned against any attempt to use the situation as justification for clamping down on opposition figures or mounting undue surveillance on political actors.

“The ADC calls on the Federal Government to immediately clarify the true nature of the alleged coup. If there is indeed a threat to national security, government must be transparent about it and brief the nation accordingly. Conversely, if the reports are false, government has a duty to decisively quash the rumour rather than weaponise national security to silence opposition voices,” the statement added.

Reaffirming its commitment to democratic governance, the ADC maintained that it would resist any form of dictatorship, whether military or civilian.

“We are resolute in our opposition to dictatorship of any form. While we support legitimate actions to defend our constitution and democracy, we strongly oppose any ploy by the government to intimidate lawful voices under the guise of national security,” the statement concluded.