Youths under the auspices of Nigerian Youths Arising (NIYA), have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Senate for military intervention in Benin Republic following a failed coup attempt.
The group described the intervention as decisive step and a bold demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to defending democracy within the West African sub-region.
In a statement by its President General, Comrade Ben Emeruwa, and Publicity Secretary, Comr Chukwuemeka Innocent, NIYA expressed deep concern over what it called dangerous resurgence of military dictatorship across Africa, particularly in West Africa.
The group noted that the continent, after decades of struggle against colonial rule and years of consolidating democracy, is witnessing a troubling reversal marked by frequent military takeovers.
It condemned the ugly trend of military incursions into governance, warning that unchecked military coups threaten not only Africa’s political stability but also global peace.
NIYA urged the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, and especially the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to curb the spread of authoritarianism.
While emphasizing Nigeria’s historical leadership in championing democratic values across Africa, the group called on federal government to continue playing a frontline role in safeguarding the Africa continent’s democratic gains.
“Nigeria has always been at the forefront in the struggle for attaining democratic freedom in Africa during the colonial era, we must continue to lead the fight to sustain this hard fought democracy in Africa.
Nigeria must support all efforts to repel and contain this spread of military violence which intends to take us back to the early post World War 2 era. Africa has come a long way to go back now into the trenches of authoritarian rule by despots”, it added.
It equally called for continuous vigilance and collective resistance from African citizens, especially young people to prevent the continent from sliding back into dictatorship.
“We commend the move done by the Nigerian Senate and President Tinubu a few hours ago by approving military assistance to the West African country of Benin Republic where a military coup was narrowly foiled though tensions are still not dowsed. Yet, we must persevere.
“We are at a critical crossroad in the history of Africa. We must be remembered as the generation of youths who spoke against, fought against, and consciously repelled military dictatorship rule in Africa”, the statement reads.
