The Federal Government, on Sunday, broke its silence over reports of an alleged failed coup to topple the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in an interview with newsmen on Sunday, said the government had faith in the military and had no reason to doubt the position of the Defence Headquarters, which on Saturday dismissed the report of a coup as fake.

 On Saturday, in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, the military had denied a news report by Sahara Reporters, linking the detention of 16 military officers to a failed coup.

 The online newspaper had linked the alleged coup to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day by the Federal Government.

Dismissing the report, however, in an official statement on Saturday, Gusau condemned the report, saying it was “intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”

 Gusau said the cancellation of the October 1 anniversary parade was “purely administrative,” explaining that it was meant to allow President Tinubu to attend a bilateral meeting abroad and enable troops to sustain ongoing operations against insurgency and banditry.

 While declaring that “Democracy is forever,” Gusau said, “The ongoing investigation involving the 16 officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism is maintained within the ranks. An investigative panel has been duly constituted, and its findings would be made public.”

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