The Presidency has cautioned against circulating unverified reports of alleged coup plots, warning that such stories could harm Nigeria’s economy and discourage foreign investors.
Speaking on Arise News Prime Time on Thursday, the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said sensational reports about national security are capable of undermining public confidence and international credibility.
“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, not rumours,” Onanuga stated.
He urged journalists and the public to exercise restraint and allow official investigations to conclude before drawing conclusions, noting that while the military confirmed some arrests, no credible evidence had been established linking them to any coup attempt.
Onanuga warned that spreading unverified information could have grave national consequences, adding that the growing appetite for sensationalism and online traffic was detrimental to the country’s stability.
“Some media outlets ran with the story for clicks and attention. But as patriotic Nigerians, we must understand that what we report has implications for our economy and national peace,” he said.
The presidential aide also acknowledged that citizens’ distrust of government communication was understandable, but maintained that it did not justify promoting unconfirmed allegations.
“It’s true that people don’t always trust government everywhere, but that doesn’t mean the media should abandon responsibility. Facts must guide reports,” Onanuga added.
His comments follow a recent Sahara Reporters publication alleging that some military officers were plotting to overthrow Tinubu’s administration — a report swiftly dismissed by the Defence Headquarters as false. Military spokesperson Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau clarified that the arrests mentioned were due to “issues of indiscipline,” not a coup attempt.
