President Bola Tinu
Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum (NGF) has cimmended President Bola Tinubu for his rapid and decisive action in helping to quell the attempted military coup in neighbouring Benin Republic — a move the Forum says protected both Nigeria and the wider West African region.
In a statement issued on Monday from Ilorin, NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the President’s intervention demonstrated strong regional leadership at a critical moment.
AbdulRazaq warned that allowing the coup plot to succeed would have opened dangerous security gaps, exposing Nigeria to renewed threats from militants and other hostile groups operating across the Sahel.
He said: “Apart from supporting democracy in the subregion, the President acted in the best interest of Nigeria and West Africa with the intervention.”
The governor noted that parts of Benin already face militant infiltration, stressing that instability in the neighbouring country would inevitably spill over Nigeria’s borders.
“With the Sahel in disarray and parts of Benin already infested by militants, a successful coup would have had devastating effects on Nigeria,” he added.
The Forum further commended President Tinubu and the Nigerian Armed Forces for restoring calm and upholding constitutional order in Benin, describing the timely operation as a reinforcement of regional solidarity.
AbdulRazaq said democracy — despite its imperfections — remains the strongest foundation for peace, security, and development in West Africa.
“Subduing the coup at Benin’s invitation strengthens collective security efforts by ECOWAS and safeguards Nigeria’s national interests. Security threats in Porto-Novo, Cotonou, or Parakou are grave risks,” he stated.
The NGF reaffirmed its support for ongoing efforts to secure the region and protect democratic institutions across West Africa.
