Benin coup: ADC hails FG’s swift action, seeks same zeal against insecurity

A file copy of the Publicity Secretary, African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi. P: Google

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The African Democratic Congress has applauded the Federal Government’s prompt intervention in the failed coup in Benin Republic, urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to demonstrate the same level of urgency and determination in tackling Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

In a statement on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC noted that while the government has shown the ability to act quickly, its response to the banditry and violent crime devastating communities across Nigeria has remained slow and haphazard.

The ADC issued the statement following the operation in which pro-government forces in Benin, backed by Nigerian troops and air support, overpowered soldiers who had taken over the national television station on Sunday and announced the ouster of President Patrice Talon.

The coalition party also expressed deep concern over the rising erosion of democratic norms in the region.

It emphasised that the strongest defence of democracy lies in good governance built on improved welfare for citizens and genuine tolerance for opposing views.

ADC stated, “The African Democratic Congress welcomes Nigeria’s swift intervention in the Benin Republic following the announcement of a coup attempt. We commend the Federal Government for acting promptly to defend constitutional order in our neighbourhood.

“However, in doing so, the government must now take the necessary steps to align this intervention with the legal provisions of our Constitution.

“While the unilateral action taken by the President might have been expedient, it still has to be subjected to the ratification of the National Assembly as required by the relevant sections of our Constitution for military or security deployment outside Nigeria’s borders.

Even in commending the government, ADC said it “cannot ignore the question that many Nigerians are already asking: why were we not as swift in responding to the crisis in Guinea-Bissau, even when a former Nigerian President was trapped there during a period of instability? That hesitation stands in sharp contrast to yesterday’s urgency. What changed? What determines when Nigeria acts firmly and when it delays?

“Consistency in our mode of operations, especially when it comes to our foreign interventions, is essential for any country that seeks to lead the sub-region on issues of democracy and stability.

“This selective reaction indeed gives credence to the allegation that what played out in Benin was at the behest of another, more powerful country.”

The ADC questioned why, if Nigeria can act swiftly and decisively against threats outside its borders, the government has shown what it described as glaring failure and incompetence in tackling insecurity within the country.

It continued, “More importantly, the government’s demonstrated ability to move quickly in Benin raises an even deeper concern. If Nigeria could respond decisively to threats across our borders, why has our government demonstrated such outrageous incompetence in dealing with domestic insecurity?

“Why has the government failed to respond with similar urgency and decisiveness even as banditry, terrorism, and violent crime still hold many of our communities hostage, displace families, abduct children, and parade themselves openly?

“A government that can act swiftly abroad must also act decisively at home. The defence of democracy does not begin in neighbouring countries; it begins in the protection of Nigerian lives, the restoration of security, and the rebuilding of trust between citizens and the state.

“Without prejudice to our fundamental opposition to any form of extra-constitutional takeover of government, we reiterate that the best possible safeguard against military adventurism is for elected governments to make democracy meaningful to the people by improving their lives and allowing opposition to thrive and alternative voices to be heard.”

Abdulrahman has nearly ten years of experience reporting on political parties, elections, religion, civil society organizations, the Nigeria Governors Forum, and more

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