Politics
REVEALED: Tension Rises As Suspects Admit Knowledge Of Plot Against Tinubu
Tension gripped proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday as video recordings of police interviews with defendants accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration were played in open court.
The recordings, tendered by the prosecution, featured statements from three of the six defendants standing trial over the alleged conspiracy.
Counsel to the defendants objected to the admissibility and public viewing of the recordings, arguing that the statements were not voluntarily made and had not yet been formally admitted as evidence.
However, the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, overruled the objections and ordered that the recordings be played, while noting that a trial-within-trial would later determine the voluntariness of the statements.
In the footage, two of the accused persons, Erasmus Victor, a retired naval captain, and Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector attached to the State House, acknowledged awareness of discussions relating to the alleged plan, while a third defendant, retired Major-General Mohammed Gana, denied any knowledge of a coup attempt.
Gana insisted he had lived a quiet life since retiring from the Nigerian Army in 2010, saying: “If I knew about any coup plan, I would have reported it,”
He admitted knowing the alleged mastermind but maintained that his involvement was limited to forwarding messages and materials he did not originate.
Gana also acknowledged that his name surfaced during investigations in connection with a N2 million transfer but denied any operational role, including claims of surveillance at the Presidential Villa.
Victor, on his part, admitted awareness of conversations suggesting a plan to topple the government but said he discouraged the idea. He told investigators: “Out of anger, he said he wants to overthrow the system. I told him to forget about it and consider retirement,”
He also admitted being approached for financial support and logistical assistance but claimed he refused to participate, though he continued communicating with the suspect using encrypted messaging platforms.
“I feel so bad that I find myself in this situation,” Victor said, appealing for leniency. Inspector admits reconnaissance and payments.
Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim admitted receiving between N1.4 million and N1.5 million and conducting reconnaissance around the Presidential Villa, including Aguda House.
He told investigators that coded language such as “fertiliser” and “farming” was used to disguise discussions about funding and operational planning.
However, he claimed he did not take the alleged plan seriously, stating: “I played along because I knew it would be impossible for them to access the State House,”
Trial continues amid national security concerns The prosecution told the court that the interviews were conducted in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, with defendants informed that the sessions were being recorded and that they had the right to remain silent.
The case, involving six defendants charged over an alleged plot to overthrow the government, was adjourned until Tuesday for continuation of hearing. The Federal Government is prosecuting the suspects in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, with other defendants including Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
Politics
2027 Presidency: Atiku Reportedly Opens Talks With New Party as ADC Faces Deregistration Battle
Fresh reports suggest that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is holding discussions with leaders of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) amid growing uncertainty surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The development comes in the wake of reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deregistered several political parties, including the ADC, a situation that has triggered fresh calculations among opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources familiar with the discussions said Atiku is exploring the possibility of returning to the PRP, a party that played a significant role in Nigeria’s political history. While neither Atiku nor the PRP leadership has officially confirmed the move, the talks have sparked widespread speculation within political circles.
The reported negotiations have generated mixed reactions among Nigerians, with many questioning whether another change of political platform would offer a genuine alternative to the country’s existing political order.
Political analysts say the ongoing developments highlight the fluid nature of Nigeria’s political landscape as major actors reposition themselves ahead of the next presidential election. The possible alliance between Atiku and the PRP could reshape opposition politics and influence coalition-building efforts in the coming months.
As uncertainty continues to surround the future of the ADC and other affected parties, attention is now focused on Atiku’s next political move and what it could mean for the battle for power in 2027.
The latest development adds another layer of intrigue to an election cycle already marked by defections, strategic alliances, and intense political maneuvering, reinforcing expectations that the road to 2027 will be filled with major surprises.
Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn his support for the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, citing the continued marginalisation of the South-East geopolitical zone.
Okonkwo’s decision followed the official announcement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirming former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, from the South-South, as Atiku’s vice-presidential running mate for the 2027 general election.
Reacting to the development, Okonkwo stated that any arrangement excluding the South-East from the top two executive positions in 2027 perpetuates unpardonable injustice against his people.
He emphasized that the region has not produced a President or Vice President since 1999 and noted that the ADC’s founder, Ralphs Nwosu, did not sacrifice leadership of the party in 2025 to enable the marginalisation of his own zone.
Okonkwo maintained that he would not campaign for any presidential ticket that fails to include a person of South-East origin as President or Vice President in 2027.
Okonkwo shared his decision in a statement released on his official X handle:
I heard from the social media that ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.
This Geo-Political Zone has neither produced a President or Vice President since 1999. To deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the President or Vice President in ADC in 2027 will amount to perpetuating the marginalisation.
The ADC was founded by Ralphs Nwosu from the South-East in 2005. He made the sacrifice to give up the party in 2025 for the coalition to usher in a better Nigeria. He couldn’t have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people.
I did not join the coalition to assist in marginalisation of my own people further. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it will amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027.
I joined politics to fight for a better Nigeria where no region, Geo-Political Zone, or person will be marginalised.
The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar, who openly declared that he is the pathway to the presidency of the South-East, is to show it by choosing someone from the South-East to be his Vice.
If it is confirmed that he has chosen a candidate from the South-South, I wish him well. I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as President or Vice in 2027.
Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn his support for the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, citing the continued marginalization of the South-East geopolitical zone.
Okonkwo’s decision followed the official announcement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirming former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, from the South-South, as Atiku’s vice-presidential running mate for the 2027 general election.
Reacting to the development, Okonkwo stated that any arrangement excluding the South-East from the top two executive positions in 2027 perpetuates unpardonable injustice against his people.
He emphasized that the region has not produced a President or Vice President since 1999 and noted that the ADC’s founder, Ralphs Nwosu, did not sacrifice leadership of the party in 2025 to enable the marginalisation of his own zone.
Okonkwo maintained that he would not campaign for any presidential ticket that fails to include a person of South-East origin as President or Vice President in 2027.
Okonkwo shared his decision in a statement released on his official X handle:
I heard from the social media that ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.
This Geo-Political Zone has neither produced a President or Vice President since 1999. To deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the President or Vice President in ADC in 2027 will amount to perpetuating the marginalisation.
The ADC was founded by Ralphs Nwosu from the South-East in 2005. He made the sacrifice to give up the party in 2025 for the coalition to usher in a better Nigeria. He couldn’t have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people.
I did not join the coalition to assist in marginalisation of my own people further. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it will amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027.
I joined politics to fight for a better Nigeria where no region, Geo-Political Zone, or person will be marginalised.
The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar, who openly declared that he is the pathway to the presidency of the South-East, is to show it by choosing someone from the South-East to be his Vice.
If it is confirmed that he has chosen a candidate from the South-South, I wish him well. I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as President or Vice in 2027.
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