Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji of the Nigerian Army has detailed his motivations for orchestrating a failed coup against the administration of President Bola Tinubu. According to reports from Premium Times, Ma’aji cited systemic corruption, increasing economic difficulties, and the country’s fragile security situation as his primary reasons for seeking military intervention.
The plot reportedly originated in 2023, during the final stages of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency. Ma’aji claimed that corruption and nepotism had reached unacceptable levels during that period. Frustrated by what he viewed as the military leadership’s failure to address national security threats, Ma’aji began gathering like-minded officers who felt a sense of duty toward national reform.
Initial efforts to execute the plan stalled due to shortages in funding, manpower, and logistics, with the Colonel funding much of the early phases himself. He noted that other officers, including a Major who contributed N1 million, assisted with financial support. Although the attempt gained renewed momentum after Ma’aji failed to secure a promotion to Brigadier General in 2024, he maintains that his career setbacks were secondary to his broader policy grievances.
Beyond governance concerns, Ma’aji pointed to the removal of the fuel subsidy, currency devaluation, and rising electricity tariffs as catalysts for public anger. He also expressed sympathy for protesters involved in the #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance movements, arguing that widespread unemployment and economic distress among Nigerian youth necessitated a radical shift in leadership.
