The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has commended the Federal Government for its swift intervention following a coup attempt in the Benin Republic but criticised President Bola Tinubu’s poor handling of fight against banditry and terrorism in the country.
In a statement posted on his verified X account on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said Nigeria’s quick response in Benin “stands in sharp contrast” to the government’s handling of persistent banditry, terrorism and violent crime across the country.
“We commend the Federal Government for acting promptly to defend constitutional order in our neighbourhood,” Abdullahi said.
“However, the government must now take the necessary steps to align this intervention with the legal provisions of our Constitution.”
He added that the President’s action, though expedient, must still be subjected to National Assembly ratification as required by law for security deployments outside the country.
The party questioned what it described as inconsistencies in Nigeria’s foreign policy decisions, particularly comparing the swift intervention in Benin to the slower response during the crisis in Guinea-Bissau.
“Why were we not as swift in responding to the crisis in Guinea-Bissau, even when a former Nigerian President was trapped there?” the statement asked.
“What changed? What determines when Nigeria acts firmly and when it delays?”
The ADC also expressed concern about what it called a “growing democratic reversal” in the region, warning that good governance remained the strongest defence against coups.
“If Nigeria could respond decisively to threats across our borders, why has our government demonstrated such outrageous incompetence in dealing with domestic insecurity?” Abdullahi queried. “A government that can act swiftly abroad must also act decisively at home.”
He stressed that the protection of democracy must start with securing the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.
“The best safeguard against military adventurism is for elected governments to make democracy meaningful to the people by improving their lives and allowing opposition to thrive,” he said.
