Prof. Mojeed Alabi, a former federal lawmaker and political scholar, has defended President Tinubu’s swift deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin, saying the action aligns with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
He also warned that the growing wave of military takeovers in West Africa reflects citizens’ unmet expectations and unrealistic demands on governments.
Speaking on Tuesday during an in-depth interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Prof. Alabi said critics misinterpret the law by claiming the President acted beyond his authority.
“What people are quoting is not what the Constitution says,” he explained. “The President does not need prior approval to deploy troops. He can act immediately during a security emergency. The Constitution only requires him to seek National Assembly approval if troops remain on foreign soil beyond seven days.”
He noted that urgent security situations demand swift action. “Waiting for legislative approval every time a crisis emerges could cripple a country. Globally, security operations often happen first, with formal notification afterward. When Obama authorised the operation against Osama bin Laden, Americans learned about it only after the mission was completed.”
Prof. Alabi added that internal security challenges differ from external crises. “Coup plotters are easier to track and neutralise compared to bandits or Boko Haram fighters who operate in forests and ungoverned areas,” he said.
Addressing the trend of coups across West Africa, he said it reflects widespread public frustration. “These coups are born of failed hopes. Young people expect military intervention to instantly solve economic hardships, like reducing food prices dramatically. They romanticise military rule because they didn’t live through the Abacha era.”
The scholar cautioned against overlooking the dangers of military governments. “A civilian president can be replaced after four years. Military rulers often worsen poverty and inequality,” he said.
On Nigeria’s political culture, Prof. Alabi stressed that voters share responsibility for the country’s leadership challenges. “When voters sell their votes, they undermine accountability. Politics becomes transactional, and governance suffers. Real change requires civic education and an electorate that understands its power.”
Turning to the economy, he acknowledged the hardships Nigerians face but said reform efforts often require temporary pain. “Removing subsidies or restructuring revenue systems initially raises prices, but many prosperous countries went through similar phases,” he said, urging the government to communicate reforms clearly to maintain public confidence.
He concluded that Nigeria’s future depends on strong institutions, informed citizens, and honest political engagement. “When voters exercise their power responsibly, the country will progress faster than many expect,” he said.
