The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has publicly backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to deploy military assets to the Benin Republic to foil the recent coup attempt, insisting the action was taken in Nigeria’s best security interest.
NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, issued a statement on Monday arguing that a successful coup in Benin would have created severe security problems for Nigeria due to its close proximity.
Governor AbdulRazaq explained that militants and other hostile groups currently operating in the Sahel region could have easily exploited the instability in Benin to further destabilise the sub-region and Nigeria.
“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,” the statement read.
He highlighted the existing security situation in Benin as a reason for Nigeria’s swift action.
He said: “With the Sahel in disarray and dire security conditions, and a significant portion of Benin, especially the W-forest, already infested by the militants, a successful coup would have had devastating effects on our own country due to our proximity to Benin Republic which shares border with many of our states.”
The Governors’ Forum praised the President and the Nigerian military for acting decisively and promptly to help restore stability and constitutional rule in the neighbouring country.
The NGF stressed that regional peace is best guaranteed under democratic governance, despite its flaws.
“It is our position that democracy, whatever its challenges, remains the best form of government for regional peace, stability, and development,” the Forum asserted.
The NGF concluded that intervening on the invitation of the Benin Republic’s government was a significant boost for ECOWAS’s collective security efforts.
“For instance, security threats on Porto Novo, Cotonou, or Parakou constitute grave security risk to Nigeria, and the President’s firm action is an effective check to this,” the statement concluded.
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