Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, accused of being involved in an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, has said his actions were motivated by patriotism and frustration over worsening economic and security conditions in Nigeria.
Ma’aji made the remarks in fresh court records detailing how investigators alleged that a group of military officers and civilians developed, suspended and later revived plans to overthrow the government.
The Defence Headquarters on Monday declined to comment on the latest development, saying the matter was already before the court.
Director of Defence Information, Major-General Samaila Uba, said commenting on the case could amount to sub judice.
In his statement, Ma’aji apologised for his alleged involvement and appealed to the authorities for leniency, insisting that he was not motivated by personal ambition or a desire for power.
According to him, the alleged plan was driven by concerns among some military personnel over poor governance, insecurity, inadequate welfare and declining living standards.
He said the situation had become so troubling that he feared Nigeria was heading towards collapse.
“What has happened has a very long history, and it is driven by patriotism and I love the job and country,” Ma’aji said.
“Every time I look at how I’m struggling to raise five children with my meagre salary, I get worried. Looking at every aspect of life in Nigeria, there is no hope for the common man, and we are left to defend ourselves.
“This has nothing to do with any ambition or personal goals. It is purely out of the desire for a prosperous country that works for everyone.”
The colonel also highlighted what he described as poor welfare among military personnel, particularly soldiers wounded during operations, as well as the challenges faced by serving personnel and their families.
Ma’aji said the alleged movement was still at the stage of mobilisation and discussions when security authorities intervened, stressing that no specific date had been fixed for any action.
He also denied the involvement of foreign collaborators, explaining that different individuals became involved at various stages of the discussions.
According to him, some people who were approached expressed concern about the state of the country, while others later withdrew or failed to provide resources they had initially promised.
The colonel further linked his involvement to frustrations over his failure to secure promotion to the rank of brigadier-general on two occasions.
He said some colleagues encouraged him to revive the movement after he suffered the second setback.
Ma’aji disclosed that the initial planning began during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari but said his subsequent arrest and detention had changed his perspective.
He said the experience made him realise that there were lawful and alternative ways of expressing concerns within the military.
“If God willing, the authority is kind enough to pardon us, we will never contemplate this course of action again in the future,” he said.
Calls for better military welfare
Ma’aji called for the establishment of a formal channel through which military personnel could communicate directly with the Chief of Army Staff without fear of victimisation.
He also advocated improved remuneration and welfare packages for members of the Armed Forces, including better healthcare, housing, pensions and family support.
According to him, the military’s casualty management system must also be improved because the treatment of wounded soldiers could have a direct impact on the morale of personnel still serving in operational areas.
He criticised what he described as “godfatherism” and inequality in military postings and career progression, noting that some officers had spent years serving in operational areas while others had little or no operational exposure.
On pensions, Ma’aji said retired military personnel deserved better treatment, recalling the difficulties faced by some ex-servicemen in meeting basic healthcare needs.
He also called for the restoration and expansion of welfare initiatives, including the Armed Forces housing and car loan schemes, as well as the Chief of Army Staff loan programme.
He urged authorities to review the Armed Forces National Health Insurance Scheme to cover more serious medical conditions beyond common illnesses such as malaria and typhoid.
Criticism of fuel subsidy removal, corruption
On the broader economy, Ma’aji criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that the policy should have been implemented gradually to cushion its impact on Nigerians.
He called on the government to invest savings from subsidy reforms in practical projects capable of reducing hardship, particularly mass transportation and other social infrastructure.
“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,” he said.
The colonel also called for stronger action against corruption, describing it as a major contributor to the country’s problems.
He expressed concern over the state of education and the rising cost of schooling, particularly for military personnel whose salaries, he said, were often insufficient to meet such expenses.
He further criticised alleged budget padding and poor implementation of government projects, questioning how public funds allocated for basic infrastructure were sometimes spent without corresponding results.
‘We want a better Nigeria’
Despite the allegations against him, Ma’aji maintained that the alleged movement was not intended to destabilise Nigeria.
“Everything we planned was borne out of patriotism, love of country, and the desire to have a prosperous Nigeria that we all can be proud of,” he said.
He appealed to the authorities to consider the circumstances surrounding the alleged plot and pardon those involved, describing them as first-time offenders.
“We are pleading for a pardon and a chance to amend our ways. Many of the officers have participated in some operations in the North-East. I am happy nobody has been hurt,” he said.
Ma’aji described his detention as “challenging and revealing”, saying it had forced him to reconsider his approach to expressing grievances.
He urged the authorities to take into account the contributions of the accused officers to national security while addressing the allegations against them.
He concluded by appealing for an opportunity to meet with relevant authorities, apologise and commit to pursuing only lawful and peaceful means of addressing grievances within the military and the wider Nigerian society.
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