THE TREASONABLE BOY SCOUTS OF COTONOU

Why did they think all it requires are a couple of rifles and a TV station and Benin Republic would be theirs? They bent their helmets too probably thinking that the bent headgear was what helped Traoré in the land of the upright people! But they did not notice that Traoré’s own was a beret worn on a head with brain!

Yes there was jubilation on the streets when they announced their pustch. They must have heard complaints on the streets and grumbling among their colleagues-on-arms on how things are not going well for the populace. But they failed to notice that there are always complaints in democracies elsewhere.

It looks like they also did not learn the craft of what they tried to do. They thought taking the Presidential palace and making a TV announcement was all it required. To call that ‘boy scout thinking’ does discredit to the image of that respected movement founded by Lord Baden-Powell.

The leader’s dress and appearance (comportment) was totally uninspiring. I could not understand what he was spewing in French but it must have been as disorganised as his disheveled look.

Now these pustchists have provided opportunity for NAF to shine by using them for target practice. How can you without an Airforce worth its name declare your airspace closed? How would you enforce it?

Nigeria has also used this opportunity that came on a platter of gold to pay an IOU to France for medical services rendered in the last two years. Quid pro quo delivered via missile strikes. President Macron must be grinning from ear to ear, having got a surrogate to fight his African battles and put both his puppets and their adversaries on leash.

The lessons are many. Talon should thank his stars and listen to the people and do his best for them henceforth. He should find out why they were jubilating when the pustch was first announced. He should never think it is misgovernance that was validated. Rather, it was democracy that was protected. Nigeria did not want another bad example on its western border while Cameroun on the east is in a state of suspended animation.

Now is not the time for him to start pursuing political opponents thinking he is invincible. Sober reflection and return to democratic ideals are what this moment calls for.

The NAF just proved what we used to know them for. They made us proud in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Last week, a fighter jet crashed at home. They just redeemed their glorious image in Benin Republic. It means the factors holding their wings is back at home here. We need to see them strike our enemies at home with the same precision so that we can sleep again. Talon slept well last night. Nigerians deserve a sound sleep too.

Austin Isikhuemen, Lagos