Ohanaeze, Middle Belt Forum React To Presidency’s Coup Plot Allegation

The Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Middle Belt Forum, have slammed the Presidency for claiming that some leaders were plotting to overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari.

Naija News had reported that the Presidency had vowed to deal with any group plotting to overthrow the Buhari-led federal government.

In a statement on Tuesday by the presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, the Presidency said that any group making such plans will be dealt with even if some unruly feathers would be ruffled in the process.

According to the statement, some persons have planned to hold an illegal conference where a vote of no confidence will be passed on President Buhari.

The presidency disclosed that some disgruntled religious, past political leaders and their foreign elements were working hard to undermine the sovereignty and corporate existence of the country.

The statement said the Presidency said was giving further insights into a recent claim by the Department of State Services that some people were planning to undermine the government and the nation’s sovereignty.

But in separate interviews with The PUNCH on Tuesday, spokesman of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, said the group was not part of those allegedly planning to overthrow the president.

He, however, asked the President to solve the security challenges, dwindling economy, and other issues confronting the nation.

He said: “Ohanaeze is not interested in anything coup. Ohanaeze is interested that the President should listen to us and address the nation.

“President should reorder his steps. He should root his governance injustice because everything has become injustice especially to the Igbo.”

Also speaking, spokesman of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Isuwa Dogo, berated the Presidency for making such a statement.

Dogo described the Presidency’s allegation as an expression of guilt and an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians.

He said, “We view the statement as an expression of guilt by the Presidency for the deteriorating situation of things in the country including insecurity and its inability to stop it.”