In a post on X on Monday night, Shehu expressed concern over
what he described as a coup shrouded in darkness.

He questioned why the names and details of those allegedly
involved have not been made public.

“It has been three weeks since whispers from the vineyard
started about an alleged coup,” he wrote.

“What was first explained away as a routine issue around
failures in promotion exercises has now grown beyond mere speculation.”

According to him, within the past two weeks, the whispers
graduated to low and medium tones about military officers being arrested across
the country for insubordination and indiscipline.

“But within the last week, all cowardly excuses have given
way to a fact that there was indeed a plan to overthrow the government.”

Shehu criticized the silence of the authorities, noting that
in other parts of the world, the standard practice after a failed coup attempt
is for those involved to be paraded publicly.

“World over, the culture of failed coups is for the coup
plotters to be paraded in public, handcuffed, legs chained, with their ranks,
state of origin, and other details made known to the public.

“Subsequently a military tribunal is set up to try them and
pass a judgement which is subject to appeal,” he said.

He argued that Nigerians deserve transparency on the matter,
stressing that such secrecy could create unnecessary tension and suspicion.

“Nothing is known about those involved. Nobody knows if they
have access to legal representation or to their family members,” he lamented.

Shehu further warned that continued silence from the
authorities could worsen the situation and fuel speculation.

“Continuing this hide and seek will only make matters worse,
create doubt, confusion, and even a leeway to call it a phantom coup,” he said.

The activist insisted that it is the right of citizens to be
informed about developments that threaten the country’s democratic stability.

“Nigerians are entitled to know the identity of those
‘enemies of democracy’,” Shehu added

He concluded by urging the government to end what he
described as play in darkness, beneath-the-earth power games, and treachery.

So far, the military has denied reports of any coup attempt,
maintaining that ongoing arrests are related to internal disciplinary measures.

Also, according to a statement signed on Saturday, by Tukur
Gusau, director of Defence Information, the DHQ said the decision to cancel the
October 1 parade had nothing to do with any alleged coup attempt but was taken
to allow President Tinubu attend a strategic bilateral meeting outside the
country.

The DHQ added that the move also enabled members of the
Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to sustain momentum in ongoing military
operations against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.