Laolu Akande Speaks On Alleged Coup Plot Against President Tinubu

The former spokesman to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Laolu Akande has urged Nigerian politicians against plotting a coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

While speaking on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television on Thursday, Akande urged politicians who are not content with the current administration to battle it out during elections.

He also commended the Nigerian Military for their leadership and intelligence in addressing such attempts.

“On the issue of the allegations around the coup, the military itself has said that they are detaining senior officers, including, as we have been told, a brigadier general and others. Some reports say 16, some say 20, that doesn’t happen regularly.

“So, you know, people are entitled to some informed speculation. But what I want to say is that if it is true that there was an attempt to have a coup, then we must commend the military intelligence for nipping it in the bud, and we must commend the leadership of the military for taking care of that,” he said.

Akande also spoke against utilising a coup to settle political differences. He urged people not to support such movements but rather make use of their democratic rights.

“The second point that I would like to make is that those who are opposed to the Tinubu administration or those who have differences with our current civilian leaders, they should go and fight them in the polls. We don’t want the coup to be used to settle our political differences anymore.

“If you don’t like what the president is doing, if you feel that he’s going in a direction that is not in the interest of our country, don’t do a coup. Don’t go and support a coup, don’t clamour for a coup, don’t embrace a coup. Go to the polls.

“If you’re a politician, go and defeat Tinubu at the polls. If you’re a Nigerian, go and register to vote. This is how we ought to do it. We must raise our voices loud and clear against military intervention in politics. What do you make, though, of calls for transparency? I mean, I saw the post,” he added.