Barau hails Tinubu over swift role in foiling Benin coup

A file photo of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin,

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Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, on Monday applauded President Bola Tinubu for swiftly approving the Benin Republic’s request for Nigerian military support to repel Sunday’s attempted coup in the neighbouring country.

Benin was thrown into confusion after soldiers operating under the banner of the Military Committee for Refoundation briefly seized the state-owned television station in Cotonou, announcing the removal of President Patrice Talon.

The mutineers, led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, declared they had toppled the government, a development that immediately raised regional security concerns.

But loyalist troops, backed by a rapid mobilisation of Nigerian forces, overpowered the plotters and restored order, an action the Presidency described as a reflection of Tinubu’s commitment to peace and constitutional order across West Africa.

In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Barau said the President acted decisively and in line with Nigeria’s long-standing role as a stabilising force in the region.

He said, “I commend the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Tinubu for swiftly acceding to the request of the Government of the Benin Republic, for Nigerian military intervention to foil the coup in the country.”

Continuing, the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament stressed that the resurgence of coups in parts of West Africa must not be allowed to undermine democratic governance.

“Military rule has no place in our society. Regardless of the situation, democracy remains the best option for our subregion and continent.

“We must all work together to promote, defend, and make the system work based on our peculiarities,” he added.

The Kano-born lawmaker also assured that the ECOWAS Parliament will intensify efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, deepen regional integration, and support peace-building initiatives across West Africa.

“At the ECOWAS Parliament, the people’s parliament, our commitment to building a more integrated, stable, and prosperous West Africa is rock solid.

“We are collectively working to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy, foster unity among member states, and advance peace and security for the development of our region,” he said.

Sunday’s incident adds to the string of military interventions that have rattled the subregion in recent years.

However, the swift suppression of the coup attempt in Benin, aided by Nigeria, has been hailed as a rare success in the ongoing struggle to maintain democratic governance in West Africa.

The PUNCH journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties

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