The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has commended the Federal Government for what it described as a swift intervention following the attempted coup in Benin Republic, while urging authorities to apply the same urgency to tackling insurgency and banditry within Nigeria.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the government’s decisive response in Benin highlighted what it called a slow and inconsistent approach to the worsening insecurity across Nigeria.
The ADC said the intervention showed the government’s capacity to act quickly but raised questions about why similar resolve has not been deployed against banditry, terrorism and violent crime affecting communities nationwide.
“ADC welcomes Nigeria’s swift intervention in the Benin Republic following the announcement of a coup attempt. We commend the Federal Government for acting promptly to defend constitutional order in our neighbourhood,” Abdullahi said.
He, however, noted that the action must still comply with constitutional requirements, particularly legislative approval for military or security deployments outside the country.
“While the unilateral action taken by the president might have been expedient, it still has to be subjected to the ratification of the National Assembly as required by the relevant sections of our Constitution,” he said.
The party also questioned what it described as inconsistencies in Nigeria’s foreign interventions, pointing to past hesitation during political instability in Guinea-Bissau.
“Many Nigerians are already asking why we were not as swift in responding to the crisis in Guinea-Bissau, even when a former Nigerian President was trapped there,” Abdullahi said, adding that the contrast with the Benin response was striking.
According to the ADC, consistency is essential for any country seeking to play a leadership role in the sub-region on democracy and stability. The party said selective reactions fuel claims that Nigeria’s actions may sometimes be influenced by external powers.
More critically, the ADC said the government’s quick response abroad exposed what it called incompetence in addressing domestic security challenges.
“If Nigeria could respond decisively to threats across our borders, why has the government failed to act with similar urgency as banditry, terrorism and violent crime continue to hold our communities hostage?” the statement said.
The party stressed that protecting democracy should start with safeguarding Nigerian lives and restoring public trust.
“The defence of democracy does not begin in neighbouring countries. It begins with the protection of Nigerian lives, the restoration of security, and the rebuilding of trust between citizens and the state,” Abdullahi said.
While reaffirming its opposition to any form of extra-constitutional takeover of government, the ADC said the most effective deterrent to military intervention is good governance.
“The best safeguard against military adventurism is for elected governments to make democracy meaningful to the people by improving their lives and allowing opposition and alternative voices to thrive,” the party said.