Fresh details emerging from the ongoing trial of military officers accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government have shed new light on the mindset, internal grievances and communication among some of the alleged conspirators.
At the centre of the latest revelations is Nigerian Navy Lieutenant Commander Bayawo Abdullahi. He admitted during investigations that he mocked President Bola Tinubu after the Federal Government abruptly cancelled the 2025 Independence Day Parade. This was a decision authorities officially attributed to the President’s foreign engagements but which coincided with the arrest of the alleged coup mastermind.
The officer’s statement, now part of the evidence before the General Court-Martial (GCM), provides investigators with another glimpse into conversations that prosecutors believe surrounded the failed coup plot uncovered in September 2025.
Mocking the President After Parade Cancellation
According to his extra-judicial statement, Abdullahi acknowledged sending a WhatsApp message to the alleged leader of the coup plot, Nigerian Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, shortly after the annual October 1 military parade was cancelled.
Recalling the message, he told investigators:
“There was a time I sent a message to Col. Ma’aji after the 1 October parade was cancelled. The man has cancelled the parade; the bagger is scared.”
Investigators are examining whether the message reflected prior knowledge of developments surrounding the alleged plot or was merely a personal reaction to the government’s decision.
It remains unclear whether Abdullahi knew that Colonel Ma’aji had already been arrested by the time he sent the WhatsApp message.
The Federal Government had maintained that the Independence Day parade was cancelled because President Tinubu needed to attend “a strategic bilateral meeting outside the country.”
However, the cancellation occurred on the same day security agencies arrested Ma’aji, whom prosecutors describe as the alleged leader of the conspiracy—fueling widespread speculation that security concerns influenced the government’s decision.
Officer Claims Remark was Based on Personal Opinion
In his statement, Abdullahi insisted the message was not based on inside information about the alleged coup.
He said:
“I just said this phrase because of the history of the president not attending the parade.”
When questioned about whether he knew October 1 had allegedly been proposed as the date for executing the coup, he denied having such knowledge.
“I just said this out of ignorance, and I can state categorically that I was not aware that the October 1 parade was to be the execution date. Col. Ma’aji did not inform me. That probably would have been discussed during their subsequent meetings, which I did not attend.”
Admission of Misconduct
Although denying prior knowledge of any execution date, the naval officer admitted that his conduct was inappropriate.
In one of the most significant admissions contained in the statement, he said:
“I accept that my actions have threatened the national security of Nigeria and are also disloyal to the president.”
The admission is expected to feature prominently in the prosecution’s case as military authorities seek to establish the extent of each accused officer’s involvement.
Promotion Disputes Emerge as Recurring Grievance
Investigators also found that dissatisfaction over stalled military careers featured prominently in Abdullahi’s account.
Like the alleged coup leader, Colonel Ma’aji, who reportedly complained about being denied promotion on multiple occasions, Abdullahi described years of frustration within the promotion system.
He stated:
“I was not promoted alongside my coursemates.”
Explaining further, he added:
“When it was time for our promotion, a case arose in Apapa, and some of us were released, while those who were supposed to be promoted that year missed out because we received letters of displeasure.”
According to him, the setbacks continued.
“After I was denied promotion, I was still posted to Maiduguri. Then again, at Jaji, we were withdrawn from the Senior Course because we were accused of examination.”
The testimony reinforces an issue investigators have repeatedly encountered during the trial—the alleged role of long-standing welfare and career frustrations among some officers now facing prosecution.
Despite maintaining communication with Colonel Ma’aji, Abdullahi claimed he never believed the alleged plot could succeed.
He told investigators that the colonel lacked the logistics required to overthrow a government and eventually stopped taking him seriously.
According to his statement, he came to regard Ma’aji as “a joker” and gradually stopped responding to his messages.
He maintained:
“I was not really into his plans and what and how he intends to do that.”
However, he admitted his greatest mistake was failing to alert military authorities.
He said he regretted not reporting the conversations but insisted he did not know whom he should have informed.
Welfare Concerns Raised During Interrogation
Beyond addressing the allegations against him, Abdullahi used his statement to recommend reforms aimed at preventing similar crises within the armed forces.
He urged the Federal Government to improve communication channels for military personnel’s grievances, review disciplinary measures imposed on officers, address rising tuition fees in military welfare schools, tackle worsening economic hardship and hunger, expand affordable housing opportunities for service members and improve the overall welfare of military personnel.
A Wider Investigation
The alleged coup plot, uncovered in September 2025, triggered one of the most extensive military investigations in recent Nigerian history.
About 40 suspects—including serving senior military officers, retired personnel, civilians and a police officer—were arrested.
While serving officers are being tried before a General Court-Martial, several civilians and retired military personnel are facing prosecution before a civilian court.
As the proceedings continue, investigators are relying heavily on witness testimonies, electronic communications and statements made by the accused to piece together what prosecutors describe as an elaborate but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the Tinubu administration.
Source: Premium Times. Additional background drawn from previous official statements by the Defence Headquarters on the 2025 Independence Day parade cancellation and the ongoing General Court-Martial proceedings.
