The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has commended President Bola Tinubu for his decisive deployment of Nigeria’s military assets to contain and reverse the recent coup attempt in Benin Republic, describing the intervention as firmly in Nigeria’s national interest.
In a statement, NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq noted that a successful coup in Benin would have had far-reaching consequences for Nigeria, as militants and hostile non-state actors in the Sahel region could have exploited the situation to further destabilise the neighbouring country.
“Apart from admirably acting in support of democracy in the subregion, the President acted in the best interest of our country and West Africa with the intervention. With the Sahel in disarray and dire security conditions, and a significant portion of Benin, especially the W-forest, already infested by militants, a successful coup would have had devastating effects on our own country due to our proximity to Benin Republic, which shares a border with many of our states,” the statement said.
Also Read: Nigeria Condemns Attempted Coup in Benin
The Forum commended the President and the Nigerian Armed Forces for their timely actions, which have helped to restore stability and uphold constitutional order in Benin.
“It is our position that democracy, whatever its challenges, remains the best form of government for regional peace, stability, and development,” the NGF added.
The Forum also highlighted the broader regional significance of Nigeria’s intervention. “Subduing the coup on the invitation of Benin Republic is a big plus for the collective security efforts by ECOWAS in the region and for Nigeria in particular. For instance, security threats in Porto Novo, Cotonou, or Parakou constitute a grave security risk to Nigeria, and the President’s firm action is an effective check to this,” the statement said.
