A Nigerian Army colonel, Mohammed Ma’aji, accused of involvement in a plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu, has said his activities were prompted by patriotism and irritation over what he characterized as worsening conditions in the country.
His comments were contained in additional court records, which offered new details about how investigators said a group of military officers and citizens allegedly formed, suspended, and later renewed a plan to overthrow President Tinubu’s administration.
Yesterday, defense headquarters stated that it would not react to the development because the issue is still pending in court.
Major-General Samaila Uba, Director of Defense Information (DDI), stated that replying would be subjudice.
Colonel Ma’aji stated that his actions were motivated by patriotism as well as unhappiness with the country’s deteriorating situation.
While apologizing for his role in the alleged scheme and pleading with the authorities for clemency, he emphasized that his motivation was not personal ambition but a desire for a better Nigeria.
He explained that the concept sprang from concerns among certain military personnel about weak administration, instability, inadequate benefits, and falling living standards.
He said the situation had deteriorated to the point that he thought the country might collapse.
Ma’aji said, “What has happened has a very long history, and it is driven by patriotism, and I love the job and country.
“Every time I look at how I’m struggling to raise five children with my meager salary, I get worried. Looking at every aspect of life in Nigeria, there is no hope for the common man, and we are left to defend ourselves.
“This has nothing to do with any ambition or personal goals. It is purely out of the desire for a prosperous country that works for everyone.”
He claimed that military people were disproportionately affected by poor welfare, citing the conditions of soldiers wounded in war and the difficulties faced by serving personnel and their families.
The colonel stated that when security authorities intervened, the movement was still in the process of mobilizing and discussing, and that no precise date for action had been agreed upon.
He also disputed that there were foreign collaborators, while noting that several individuals became part of different stages of the conversations.
Ma’aji stated that some of those approached expressed reservations about the situation of the country, while others withdrew or failed to deliver the resources they had first pledged.
He went on to say that the purported scheme was motivated by disappointments at his failure to be promoted to brigadier-general on two separate occasions.
Following the second defeat, he claims that some of his colleagues pushed him to rekindle the movement.
The colonel, who said that the original planning began during Muhammadu Buhari’s government, stated that his arrest changed his viewpoint and taught him that there were other methods to communicate problems within the military.
“If God willing, the authority is kind enough to pardon us, we will never contemplate this course of action again in the future,” he said.
Ma’aji advocated for the creation of an official channel through which military members may express their concerns directly to the chief of army staff without fear of retaliation.
He also advocated for increased pay and welfare benefits for members of the Armed Forces, such as better healthcare, housing, pensions, and family support.
The colonel advocated for improvements to the military’s casualty management system, claiming that how wounded soldiers are treated could have an impact on the morale of personnel still serving in operational regions.
He also criticized what he called godfatherism and perceived disparities in military postings and professional advancement, claiming that certain officers had spent years on missions while others had little or no operational experience.
Ma’aji voiced concern about Nigerian society in general, including the expense of life, education, corruption, and the impact of gasoline subsidy removal on ordinary residents.
He advised the government to invest the savings from subsidy reforms on programs that can alleviate poverty, such as mass transit and other social infrastructure.
He also advocated for greater anti-corruption measures, claiming that perceived impunity among public officials might undermine security personnel’s morale and confidence.
Regarding the purported coup attempt, Ma’aji stated that the movement was never intended to destabilize the country and was driven by what he defined as love for Nigeria.
He stated: “Everything we planned was borne out of patriotism, love of country, and the desire to have a prosperous Nigeria that we all can be proud of.”
The colonel urged the authorities to consider the circumstances surrounding the alleged conspiracy and pardon those involved, referring to them as first-time offenders.
“We are pleading for a pardon and a chance to amend our ways. Many of the officers have participated in some operations in the North-East. I am happy nobody has been hurt,” he said.
Ma’aji described his arrest as “challenging and revealing,” adding that it allowed him to reevaluate his approach to expressing issues.
He insisted that he and others involved had no other country to call home and urged the authorities to weigh their contributions to national security against the allegations against them.
He stated further: ‘’To prevent a recurrence of incidents such as this, I would advise the authority as follows:
‘’Poor remuneration: The salary of Nigerian Armed Forces personnel is too low, considering the current economic realities and inflation.
‘’Welfare: For instance, we are an army at war; our handling of casualties is paramount to how the rest working will be willing to continue and lay their lives for the country. There is also a need for robust welfare packages for all the members of the Armed Forces. There is also a need for serving personnel’s family welfare packages to be introduced. The COAS Loan Program should be expanded and sustained.
‘’The AF NHIS package needs to be reviewed to include more critical health challenges rather than just malaria and typhoid. There is a need for a sustainable housing program for the armed forces rather than isolated and disjointed packages.
‘’The issue of the Obasanjo car loan scheme needs to come back. I think the AFN needs a whole department dedicated to personnel welfare. I could elaborate on this if given the opportunity.
‘’Godfatherism: A system where you can hardly get anything without someone calling in on your behalf. There are officers who have been on operations for eight or nine years straight. While we still have some officers who haven’t been to the North-East and will never be there.
“Pension upgrade: Col. Adamu told me that his pension cannot buy his BP drugs. I felt sad when I saw CDS ordering ex-servicemen to be dispersed from their protest ground for improved pensions. We should remember that we shall all retire. Our ex-servicemen deserve better treatment. Charity begins at home; that is why I am starting from the armed forces.
‘’Removal of fuel subsidy: The government should have phased the removal and not the sudden removal, and the policy is anti-human. The primary purpose of government, as provided by the Constitution, is the welfare and security of the people… we have rather created more stealing avenues because governors now have more funds to steal.
‘’An average Nigerian is not asking for too much, just a bare minimum of being able to move from point A to B and also afford three square meals, good health, and the education of their children. The federal government should invest the subsidy money in a practical project that can reduce human suffering. The issue of urban mass transit that started during the military regime should be revisited.
‘’Corruption: This must be given clear and serious attention because it is the mother of all crimes. Our education is in shambles. Those of us here in Abuja, how much do we pay for school fees, and how many officers/soldiers can afford school fees with their salaries?
‘’Budget padding: After padding a budget and awarding costs, they’re still not implemented. For example, you put down one thousand naira for a bottle of water that costs 100 naira and still do not buy the water.
‘’These are people who got almost everything free, including education when growing up, but there is no free education anywhere today in Nigeria. They all turned their backs against the country. As service personnel, how much of your salary can you save that would buy you a house to live in?
‘’Is it after using all your youthful years that you will start looking for money to survive after retirement?
“Some officers have served for over 15 years, and they don’t even have a plot of land. The policy of car loans was swept under the carpet. What happened to all these policies? An average officer or soldier is barely surviving, despite the huge sacrifices they are making on a daily basis to keep the country safe and secured.
“He concluded by asking for an opportunity to meet with the relevant authorities, apologize, and commit to pursuing lawful and peaceful means of addressing grievances.”
