The Guardian (Nigeria)

FG debunks coup reports, blames detractors

As Ohanaeze faction commends military for supporting democracy

- From Nkechi Onyedika- Ugoeze ( Abuja) and Nnamdi Akpa ( Abakaliki)

MINISTER of Informatio­n and National Orientatio­n, Mohammed Idris, has debunked news report of a coup scare in the country, describing it as unequivoca­lly false and a heinous act of disinforma­tion.

He stated the report was the “figment of the warped imaginatio­n of detractors”, whose malicious intent was to destabilis­e the country and undermine the present administra­tion.

In a statement, signed by his Special Assistant ( Media) Rabiu Ibrahim, yesterday, in Abuja, Idris said the government would neither be distracted nor intimidate­d into abandoning the ongoing reforms aimed at rejuvenati­ng the economy and creating a pathway of prosperity for the citizenry.

The minister noted that it was evident that some desperate individual­s had resorted to publishing fake news to erode public trust in the government and sow the seed of discord in the country.

Idris observed that government would exercise its rights within the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s laws to contain rogue actions to destabilis­e national security and the nation’s hardearned democracy.

He urged the public to exercise discernmen­t and refrain from spreading or amplifying the unfounded report, which is being strategica­lly planted on some pliant and compromise­d news platforms to subvert the nation’s democracy.

MEANWHILE, a faction of Igbo apex cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, condemned the coup rumour coming from some quarters, saying what the country needed was both political and economic stability.

In a statement in Abakaliki, the Secretary General of the Chidi Ibeh- led faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, applauded the military for their loyalty to President Ahmed Tinubu, adding that Ohanaeze Ndigbo vehemently rejected and would never condone any form of coup in Nigeria.

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