Mohammed Ma’aji, a Nigerian Army Colonel, who was reportedly involved in a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, said his actions were prompted by patriotism and irritation over what he viewed as the worsening conditions in the country.
Fresh court papers have uncovered new facts that investigators said showed how a group of military officers and citizens allegedly formed, suspended and then renewed a plot to overthrow President Tinubu’s administration, Vanguard writes.
Defence Headquarters yesterday, said it would not comment on the issue as the matter still subsists in court.
Director of Defence Information, DDI, Major-General Samaila Uba said reacting will amount to subjudice.
“I did it out of patriotism and frustration over what I call the deteriorating conditions in the country,” stated Colonel Ma’aji.
“I am sorry for my involvement in the alleged plot and I plead with the authorities to forgive me. “I did not do it for personal interest or ambition but I did it for a better Nigeria.
The initiative came after complaints by certain military members over bad administration, instability, low welfare and falling living standards, he claimed.
“It’s been so bad that I think we are heading for collapse,” he said.
“There’s a very long history to what has happened and it is patriotism and I love the job and country,” Ma’aji remarked.
“Sometimes I get worried when I see how I am struggling to educate five children with my meagre salary. If you look at the whole spectrum of life in Nigeria, there is no hope for the common guy, we are left to defend ourselves.
“This is not about any ambition or personal goals. It is for the love of a successful country that works for everyone.”
He said poor welfare hit military people especially, pointing to the state of soldiers wounded in action and the struggles of serving personnel and their families.
The Colonel added that the movement was still in the stage of mobilisation and negotiations when the security services interfered and that no precise date had been decided to any action.
He also denied having any overseas partners, and explained that different people got involved at different times during the negotiations.
“Some of those approached had concerns about the state of the country while others withdrew or failed to deliver the resources they had earlier promised,” he said.
He also said the suspected conspiracy was driven by what he characterised as disappointments over his failure to obtain promotion to the rank of brigadier-general on two occasions.
He said some of his coworkers pushed him to revive the effort after the second setback.
But the Colonel claimed his experience after his imprisonment changed his outlook and made him recognise there were other methods to raise problems within the military.
“If God willing, the authority is kind enough to pardon us, we will never think of this course of action again in future,” he stated.
He urged the establishment of a legitimate conduit for the military personnel to directly convey their concerns to the Chief of Army Staff without any fear of victimisation.
He also spoke in favour of higher pay and benefit packages for members of the Armed Forces including better healthcare, housing, pension and family support.
The Colonel said that the military’s casualty management system should be improved. He added that the care of wounded soldiers could damage the morale of those still serving in combat regions.
He also condemned what he termed godfatherism and the perception of unfairness in postings and promotions in the military, saying some officers had spent years on operations while others had little or no operational experience.
On the expense of living, education, corruption and impact of fuel subsidy removal on ordinary residents in the wider Nigerian community Ma’aji said; The history
He called on the government to use the savings generated from subsidy reforms to finance programs aimed at alleviating suffering, such as public transportation and other social infrastructure.
He also called for further firm measures against corruption, noting that the sense of impunity among public officials might harm the morale and confidence of security forces.
On the purported coup attempt itself, Ma’aji maintained the movement was never meant to undermine the government, saying it was driven by what he called love for Nigeria.
“All we planned was out of patriotism, love of country and the desire to have a Nigeria that is prosperous for all of us to be proud of,” he stated.
He called on the authorities to take into account the conditions that led to the alleged conspiracy and to pardon those involved, whom he described as first offenders.
We are appealing for a pardon, for the chance to change our ways. certain of the officers have taken part in certain operations in the Northeast. “I’m just glad no one got hurt,” he stated.
Methods of expressing grievances
“It has been difficult and revealing,” said Ma’aji, who added that his imprisonment had given him a chance to re-evaluate his way of lodging complaints.
He said he and those participating had no other country to go home to, and he begged authorities to assess their commitment to national security against the charges made against them.
‘ I would urge the authority how to avoid repeat of this type of situations he added
Poor remuneration: The wage of Nigerian Armed Forces members is excessively low, considering the current economic reality and inflation; Historical Backgrounds
“Welfare: For example, we are an army at war. The way we deal with casualties is crucial to the way the rest working will be prepared to continue and lay their lives for the country. Comprehensive welfare packages are also needed for all the personnel of the Armed Forces. There is also a need to establish family welfare packages for serving soldiers. The COAS Loan Program should be continued and expanded.
“’’The AF NHIS package should be reviewed to provide for more critical health challenges and not just malaria and typhoid. “What is needed is a sustainable housing program for the armed forces and not piecemeal and fragmented packages.
‘’The matter of the Obasanjo auto loan plan needs to resurface. I think the AFN requires a department of staff welfare. If I had time I could develop this.
’Godfatherism: A system where you can hardly get anything without someone calling in for you. There are cops who have been on operations for eight, nine years in a row. When we still have some cops who have never been to the Northeast and never will.
‘’Pension upgrade: Col Adamu told me his pension can’t buy his BP medications. I feel sad when I observed CDS ordering ex-servicemen to be dispersed from their protest ground for increased pensions. Let us remember that we all will retire. Our ex-servicemen deserve a better deal. Charity begins at home and that is why I am starting with military forces.
“The removal of fuel subsidy: The government should have phased the removal and not the sudden removal, the policy is anti-human. The Constitution states that the main goal of government is the welfare and security of the people… we have rather created more stealing channels because governors now have more monies to steal.
“The average Nigerian is not asking for too much, just a bare minimum of being able to move from point A to B and also afford three square meals, good health and the education of their children. The federal government should put the subsidy money into any real project which can minimise human misery. The subject of Urban Mass Transit, which saw its inception during the military government, should be reconsidered. History
’’Corruption: This must be taken seriously and given unambiguous attention since it is the mother of all crimes. Our schooling is in ruins. We are in Abuja, how much school fees do we pay and how many of our officers/soldiers can afford school fees with their salaries?
’’Budget padding: They pad a budget, grant costs, and yet don’t implement. For example you put one thousand naira for a water of 100 naira and you still don’t buy the water.
‘’There are people who got nearly everything free while growing up, including schooling yet there is no free education in Nigeria now anyplace. All of them turned away from the country. As a service professional how much of pay can you save that will buy you a house to live in ?
‘’After all your youthful years, is that when you would start to hunt for money to exist after retirement?
“Some of the officers have served over 15 years and they don’t even get a plot of property. The policy on car loans was brushed aside. So where did all of these policies go? The typical officer or soldier is barely living, even as they make great sacrifices each and every day to keep the country safe and secure. He ended with a request for an opportunity to meet the relevant authorities, apologise and promise to pursue lawful and peaceful measures of addressing issues.
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