*Mohammed Ma’aji, a Colonel in the Nigerian Army, accused of leading an alleged plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, in 2025, affirms Chief Timipre Silva, a former Governor of Bayelsa State and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, contributed over N400 million for the planning and execution of the military putsch
Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect
Mohammed Ma’aji, a Colonel in the Nigerian Army (NA) accused of leading an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in 2025, has affirmed that Chief Timipre Silva, a former Governor of Bayelsa State and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, contributed over N400 million for the planning and execution of the military putsch.
Ma’aji, who noted this in his recent full statement on the purported coup plot, however said there were no foreign collaborations regarding the coup plot.
ConsumerConnect reports alleged coup plot was uncovered late September 2025.
The development later led to the cancellation of the ceremonial October 1 Independence Day parade at the Eagle Square, in Abuja, FCT, and other locations.
The purported coup attempt also heralded changes in the Military leadership, including the removal of General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), current Honourable Minister for Defence, as the then Chief of Army Staff, in 2025.
Ma’aji stated: “In this movement, a substantial amount spent are my personal resources.
“Timipre Sylva only came in recently. His own contribution was coming in bulk; mine, don’t have the records of how much I had spent.
“I think Timipre Sylva has contributed about 400 million Naira, and there are no foreign collaborations.”
Ma’aji: Attempt coup driven by patriotism, declining living conditions in Nigeria
Justifying the rationale behind the risky venture of plotting against the sitting President, the Military Officer said his actions were driven by patriotism and concerns about Nigeria’s worsening condition, rather than personal ambition.
According to him, Ma’aji said economic hardship, poor governance, and the declining welfare of Nigerians and Military personnel were part of the issues that influenced his decision to attempt toppling the government last year.
He further noted: “What has happened has a very long history, and it is driven by patriotism and I love the job and country.
“As we are all sitting down here, we have our biases and our thoughts and concerns on what was going on in our country from a state of gradual decline up to now, and we are almost at the point of collapse.”
Besides, Ma’aji linked his concerns to the difficulty of providing for his five children on his monthly salary.
He stated that his personal experience had deepened his worries about Nigeria.
The leader of the attempted coup leader said: “Every time I look at how I’m struggling to raise 5 children with my meager salary, I get worried.
“I attended Army Day Secondary School, but today, how many of us afford to take our children to these schools, and for one reason or the other, which is connected to the bad governance.”
According to him, concerns about the welfare of Military personnel, particularly Officers and soldiers, who sustained injuries during combat operations were part of the rationale for the planned insurrection against the Nigerian Government.
He also alleged that some wounded soldiers receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna were not getting adequate care.
On pressing challenges in Armed Forces
Ma’aji described their experience as a reflection of wider challenges within the West African country’s Armed Forces.
The concerns over the country’s condition and military welfare, he stated, further strengthened his conviction that immediate measures were needed to alter Nigeria’s direction at the time of arrest.
The Military Officer noted: “The summary of all this is that this action was driven by the desire to have a prosperous nation, and country that we all can be proud of.
“It got to a point that I was worried that if nothing is done, we may not have a country to call our own in the near future.”
Ma’aji equally stated that the alleged plot against the government was still at the mobilisation stage, with plans to recruit officers who shared similar concerns, when he was arrested last year.
No set D-Day to execute planned coup
In regard to developments in the country’s economy leading his leading the alleged coup plot against President Tinubu’s administration, Colonel Ma’aji declared: “Nigeria was turning into a banana republic right before our eyes.
“We know that during the era of the military regime, the country was functioning better.
“I believe that, as it is now, we are on a dangerous trajectory.”
He explained: “The plan was to get enough Officers of like minds who could participate.
“We were still at the stage of mobilising to get more officers involved.”
He stated: “This team has not been fully formed because there were supposed to be other meetings.
“There was no D-Day. We were waiting for the availability of resources and more officers and soldiers.”
Ma’aji reaffirmed although Chief Sylva contributed over N400 million to the operations, he personally financed a significant portion of the alleged operations, denied any foreign involvement.
He equally revealed that Sylva, a former Governor of Bayelsa State and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, group had not settled on a date to execute the alleged operations against the current administration.
He as well denied reaching out to some senior Military Officers, but attributed the resurgence of the alleged movement to dissatisfaction among soldiers and his unsuccessful attempts at securing promotion.
The suspect, therefore, advocated the establishment of a formal mechanism through which Military Officers could communicate their grievances to Major-General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), without fear of victimisation.
He also recommended better remuneration and welfare packages for Military personnel, improved pension benefits, greater access to education, and stronger measures to address corruption in Nigeria and the armed forces.
Suspect’s plea for leniency
Following his arrest and subsequent interaction with the panel investigating the alleged plot, Ma’aji has appealed to the governmental authorities for leniency.
He said he had reconsidered his approach to resolving challenges in the Nigerian economy.
Ma’aji said in his full statement: “From the time I have been arrested till now, If I were to be released and these issues in the country persist, I will consider a different approach.
“We are pleading for leniency and pardon as first offenders.”
The alleged coup leader said: “The system should take a deep breath and pardon us.
“They should give us a chance to mend our ways. We have no other country than Nigeria and no other job.”
Ma’aji noted: “This incident has really opened our eyes and has changed our mindset forever.
“It was not intended to destabilise the country at all.
“Everything we planned was born out of patriotism, love of country, and the desire to have a prosperous Nigeria that we all can be proud of.”