Tinubu Benin coup intervention praised by NGF for protecting Nigeria’s interests and supporting regional stability and ECOWAS efforts
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for deploying Nigeria’s military assets to swiftly contain and reverse the attempted coup in the Republic of Benin, describing the action as being in the best interest of Nigeria and West Africa.
Also read: Tinubu’s Swift Benin Coup Response Sparks ADC Criticism
In a statement issued on Monday, NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq noted that a successful coup in Benin would have had far-reaching consequences for Nigeria.
He highlighted the risk posed by militants and hostile non-state actors in the Sahel region, warning that instability in Benin could spill over into Nigerian border states.
“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 already infested by militants, a successful coup would have had devastating effects on our own country due to our proximity to Benin Republic,” the statement said.
The Forum praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for the timely intervention, noting that restoring constitutional order in Benin also reinforced ECOWAS’ collective security efforts in the region.
It added that security threats in cities such as Porto Novo, Cotonou, and Parakou could have posed grave risks to Nigeria, making the President’s actions a critical preventive measure.
“It is our position that democracy, whatever its challenges, remains the best form of government for regional peace, stability, and development,” the NGF statement read.
“Subsuing the coup on the invitation of Benin Republic is a big plus for the collective security efforts by ECOWAS and for Nigeria in particular.”
Also read: Tinubu issues firm Benin coup intervention warning of threats
The Forum’s endorsement comes amid widespread praise for Tinubu’s rapid response, which saw loyalist forces in Benin quickly regain control and release two high-ranking army officers taken hostage during the coup attempt.
