By Abiola Olawale
The Nigerian Presidency has issued a caution, alleging that the persistent circulation of unverified reports regarding alleged coup plots is damaging the nation’s economy and discouraging foreign investment.
Speaking during an interview with Arise TV, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasized that the report is undermining national stability and a government effort to attract vital capital.
He said: “When a country is looking for investment and the media are shouting ‘coup attempt,’ it scares investors away.
“Stories like that can destroy the country’s reputation and economy. We need to wait for facts, evidence, not rumours.”
He called for restraint, urging the media and the public to allow official investigations to conclude before publishing sensitive stories.
According to him, while the military had confirmed an ongoing investigation into some arrests, no credible evidence had yet been established linking them to a coup attempt.
He argued that leaping to conclusions before official confirmation portends grave national consequences.
Onanuga also faulted what he described as a growing appetite for sensationalism and online traffic, noting that not every piece of information is “fit to print.”
“Some media outlets ran with the story for clicks and attention. But as patriotic Nigerians, we must know that what we report has implications for our economy and stability,” he said.
He added that the government was aware of citizens’ growing distrust of official statements but insisted that such skepticism did not justify publishing unverified claims.
“It’s true people don’t always trust government, that happens everywhere in the world. But the media also have a social responsibility to be cautious and wait for facts,” he said.
The New Diplomat reports that the Presidency’s comments followed reports of an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
However, the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau has since dismissed the allegations, saying that the alleged arrests linked to a coup were “issues of indiscipline” within the ranks, and describing the report as “intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”
The Defence Headquarters urged the public to disregard rumours of political motives, reiterating that Nigeria’s military remains loyal to the constitution and committed to democracy.
