The Presidency has asserted that recent media reports regarding alleged coup plots are significantly “damaging the country’s economy and discouraging foreign investment.”
Speaking on Arise News’ Prime Time programme on Thursday evening, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, argued that unverified national security reports could severely harm Nigeria’s international image and “extinguish investor confidence.”
Onanuga directly addressed the media’s coverage, warning about its negative economic consequences.
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He stated:“When a country is looking for investment and the media are shouting ‘coup attempt,’ it scares investors away.”
He stressed the lasting damage of such unverified stories:“Stories like that can destroy the country’s reputation and economy. We need to wait for facts, evidence, not rumours,” Onanuga said.
He appealed for restraint, urging both the public and the media to allow official investigations to conclude before disseminating sensitive stories.
Onanuga noted that while the military confirmed an ongoing investigation into some arrests, “no credible evidence had yet been established linking them to a coup attempt.”
He concluded that “leaping to conclusions before official confirmation portends grave national consequences.”
Onanuga also criticized what he termed a growing appetite for online traffic and sensationalism, noting that not every piece of information is “fit to print.”
He continued his critique of the media’s priorities:“Some media outlets ran with the story for clicks and attention. But as patriotic Nigerians, we must know that what we report has implications for our economy and stability,” he said.
While acknowledging the public’s growing skepticism, he insisted that distrust does not justify publishing unsubstantiated claims.
“It’s true people don’t always trust government, that happens everywhere in the world. But the media also have a social responsibility to be cautious and wait for facts,” he said.
Onanuga’s comments follow an October 19 report by Sahara Reporters that alleged some military officers were plotting to overthrow the government. The Defence Headquarters subsequently dismissed this claim.
Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, confirmed that alleged arrests were related to “issues of indiscipline” within the ranks and described the media report as “intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”
The Defence Headquarters urged the public to disregard political rumours, reiterating that the military “remains loyal to the constitution and committed to democracy.”
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