The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed approval for Nigeria’s rapid response to the reported coup attempt in Benin Republic, praising the Federal Government for its prompt defence of constitutional order in the neighbouring country.
However, the opposition party has urged the administration to ensure the intervention complies with Nigeria’s Constitution, emphasising the need for National Assembly ratification.
In a statement released on Monday by the National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC highlighted the government’s unilateral action as potentially expedient but insisted it must be retroactively approved by lawmakers, in line with constitutional provisions governing military deployments abroad.
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“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 for military or security deployment outside Nigeria’s borders,” the party stated.
The ADC commended the swiftness of the intervention but raised concerns over inconsistencies in Nigeria’s foreign policy.
It pointed to the government’s delayed response to instability in Guinea-Bissau, where a former Nigerian President was reportedly trapped during a crisis.
“Why were we not as swift in responding to the crisis in Guinea-Bissau, even when a former Nigerian President was trapped there during a period of instability? That hesitation stands in sharp contrast to yesterday’s urgency,” the statement queried.
The party questioned the criteria for such interventions, suggesting that selective actions fuel allegations of external influences from more powerful nations.
More critically, the ADC drew parallels between Nigeria’s decisive foreign actions and its perceived failures in addressing domestic security challenges.
It lambasted the government for “outrageous incompetence” in tackling banditry, terrorism, and violent crime, which continue to displace families, abduct children, and terrorise communities.
“If Nigeria could respond decisively to threats across our borders, why has our government demonstrated such outrageous incompetence in dealing with domestic insecurity?” the party asked, calling for similar urgency at home.
The ADC reiterated that true defence of democracy starts domestically through protecting citizens, restoring security, and rebuilding public trust.
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It opposed extra-constitutional takeovers but stressed that elected governments must make democracy meaningful by improving lives, fostering opposition, and amplifying alternative voices to prevent military adventurism.
This statement comes amid heightened regional tensions, with West Africa witnessing several coup attempts in recent years. Nigeria, as a regional powerhouse, has often positioned itself as a stabilising force under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
