Colonel Ma'aji says coup was patriotism, not ambition

Colonel Ma'aji, the military officer behind the alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, has finally spoken. He said he acted out of patriotism and frustration with the state of the nation, not personal ambition. The man is facing serious charges, yet he is standing by his actions as a necessary evil.

His statement is a direct indictment of the current administration. He is essentially saying the government has failed so badly that soldiers felt compelled to intervene. That is not a small matter. It raises questions about the morale within the armed forces and the level of discontent across the country.

I am not saying I support a coup, because I do not. But when a senior military officer says he was driven by patriotism, we need to ask ourselves what is happening in this country. Is the frustration so deep that even the military is losing patience? What do you make of his defence?