#EndBadGovernance: Al-Mustapha Declares Military Coup Unacceptable in Nigeria

Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sani Abacha and 2023 presidential candidate of the Action Alliance, has denounced calls for a military takeover in Nigeria. He emphasized that military coups are outdated and have no place in the country’s future.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Al-Mustapha addressed the hardships faced by citizens due to the federal government’s removal of the fuel subsidy. He criticized the push for military intervention as misplaced and asserted that Nigeria has firmly embraced democracy.

Al-Mustapha advised against imitating foreign systems of government, such as those of the U.S. or the U.K., and advocated for a system tailored to Nigeria’s unique context. He urged those advocating for a coup to redirect their efforts towards enhancing military professionalism and supporting democratic processes.

“I am now a democrat and fully committed to democratic principles,” he said. “We need a system that reflects our own historical and cultural realities, not one borrowed from elsewhere. The push for military intervention is obsolete and counterproductive.”

He added that democracy should be nurtured and adapted to fit Nigeria’s specific needs, rather than relying on imported models.