By Oluwasore Alabi
The Nigerian Army raided the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State Governor and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, over a reported plot to stage a coup being investigated. The operation, which was in the Maitama area, involved the military allegedly arresting Sylva’s brother, Paga, while his former self had been reported to have left the country, The operation was also linked to an intelligence which had suggested Sylva was secretly visiting jailed military officers who are being investigated over the alleged attempt to oust the government.
This is at a time when Nigeria’s security services and democracy are under strict public scrutiny. The arrest of at least 16 top Army, Navy, and Air Force officers, arrested for weeks without good communication to their loved ones, has set up questions regarding transparency. The reason why the Defence Intelligence Agency has instead taken matters into their own hands, instead of allowing each military branch to dispense their own punishment, has sparked eyebrows with both analysts and former officers who believe that the entire affair may have extremely powerful political undertones.
But under the news report itself lies a deeper issue, the growing fear that struggles for power among political elites continue to spill over into national security, taking the military with them. Nigeria has a long and checkered political history of politicians wanting to use the armed forces to influence government policy, settle grievances, or regain lost authority. Threat of coup plot, actual or alleged, has terrible consequences. In a country where democracy is still in its infancy and the economy is struggling, even the mere mention of the military becoming involved in politics is enough to erode popular trust.
The involvement of a past governor and former minister makes this incident all the more sensitive. It evokes embarrassing questions: Why do previous occupants of office continue to get embroiled in political tension upon departure from office? Why are there certain political actors who seem unable to accept election defeat without seeking to regain power through other means? And why must there be a process whereby political power and military loyalty still meet in harmful forms?
To the Nigerian government and the Nigerian Army, addressing this matter openly and with respect for rule of law is most important. Non-briefed raid, unofficial detention, and silence by leadership only generate more distrust. Nigerians have seen too many instances where national security has been used as a cover for political scores settling. Nigerians have also seen instances where reported military intervention turned out to be real sadly.
This moment calls for prudence, simplicity, and responsibility. If there is evidence of wrongdoing, it must be brought out in public, impartially, and legally. If the case is being exaggerated or manipulated, this too must be brought to the light. The stability of the country cannot be made a political toy between power blocs and political leaders.
In a period in which citizens are already beset by economic hardship, insecurity, and eroding confidence in institutions, the last thing that Nigeria can afford is skepticism about the loyalty and mandate of its armed forces. Democracy cannot function where power struggles are fought in the dark. The structure must be strong enough to handle both accountability and reality.
Nigeria will not accept any real or perceived act that undermines civic stability. The future will be guided by transparency, justice, and the clear message that nobody, for reasons of past office or position, is above the law.
