By George Mgbeleke

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed Nigeria’s swift intervention in the Benin Republic after a coup attempt but urged the Federal Government to apply similar decisiveness in combating insurgency and banditry in the country.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party noted that the government’s ability to act quickly, however, throws into sharp relief its slow and haphazard response to the banditry and violent crime devastating communities across Nigeria.

The party also expressed great concern about growing democratic reversal in the region, stressing that the best safeguard for democracy is good governance anchored on improved livelihood for the majority and tolerance for opposition.

The full statement read:

“The African Democratic Congress (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.
However, in doing so, the government must now take the necessary steps to align this intervention with the legal provisions of our Constitution. 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.

“Even in commending the government, ADC cannot ignore the question that many Nigerians are already asking: 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. What changed? What determines when Nigeria acts firmly and when it delays?

“Consistency in our mode of operations, especially when it comes to our foreign interventions, is essential for any country that seeks to lead the sub-region on issues of democracy and stability. This selective reaction indeed gives credence to the allegation that what played out in Benin was at the behest of another, more powerful country.”

Continuing the party noted,”importantly, the government’s demonstrated ability to move quickly in Benin raises an even deeper concern. If Nigeria could respond decisively to threats across our borders, why has our government demonstrated such outrageous incompetence in dealing with domestic insecurity? Why has the government failed to respond with similar urgency and decisiveness even as banditry, terrorism, and violent crime still hold many of our communities hostage, displace families, abduct children, and parade themselves openly?

“A government that can act swiftly abroad must also act decisively at home. The defence of democracy does not begin in neighbouring countries; it begins in the protection of Nigerian lives, the restoration of security, and the rebuilding of trust between citizens and the state.

“Without prejudice to our fundamental opposition to any form of extra-constitutional takeover of government, we reiterate that the best possible safeguard against military adventurism is for elected governments to make democracy meaningful to the people by improving their lives and allowing opposition to thrive and alternative voices to be heard.”

Apparently disturbed by the ravaging attacks of bandits in some parts of the country, Progressive Governors’ Forum have resolved to strengthen local security towards preventing possible attacks that could truncate the development in their states.

The governors stated that strengthening community-based security initiatives and better intelligence gathering from the grassroots were identified as major antidote to gunmen attacks across the country.

The communique issued by the governors on Saturday after a two-day meeting in Lagos where security, economy, and social welfare issues were reviewed with the aim to address hurdles that may affect growth and development in the country.

The communique was read by the chairman of the Forum, Governor Hope Nzodimma of Imo State.

Governors in attendance attendance included: Kebbi, Dr. Nasir Idris, Edo, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Ogun, Dapo Abiodun, Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji, Ondo, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Sokoto, Ahmad Aliyu, Akwa-Ibom, Pastor Umo Eno, Delta, Sheriff Oborevwori, Enugu, Peter Mbah, Kaduna, Uba Sani and Katsina, Dikko Umar.

The host Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu said, “The engagement provided an opportunity to review the nation’s current trajectory, deepen coordination among progressive governors, and reaffirm the Forum’s unwavering support for the Renewed Hope agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

According to the governors on platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the decision to embark on strengthening local security architecture was taking after a review of the security situation across the country particularly as it affects each states.

The Forum reviewed the security situation across the country and expressed appreciation for the improved coordination between federal, state and local security structures, as well as the courage and sacrifices of security agencies and community volunteers.

The Forum commended the President for the ongoing re-engineering in the security architecture of the country.

Governors reiterated that safety of lives and property remains a non-negotiable obligation of government.

The PGF resolved to continue strengthening community-based security initiatives, intelligence gathering, conflict-prevention mechanisms and support for victims of violence and disaster.

The Forum underscored the importance of social cohesion, inter-faith harmony and inter-ethnic understanding, and urged all leaders to use their voices and platforms to promote unity, moderation and respect, while isolating criminality and hate speech in all its forms.

“The meeting served as an important platform for aligning state-level priorities with national reforms, reinforcing the centrality of citizens, citizens’ welfare in governance, and consolidating the Forum’s shared vision of people focused and development-driven leadership at all levels of government.

“The Forum undertook a broad review of the political, economic, and social environment in the country.

“Governors reaffirmed that the ultimate purpose of every reform must be to improve the lives of Nigerians, protect their dignity, and expand opportunities for all, rural and urban, youth and elderly, women and men, workers, entrepreneurs, and vulnerable groups alike.

“The Forum noted ongoing efforts at food security, power sector improvement, transport and infrastructure upgrades, social investment, and support for productive enterprises, and pledged to align state policies to maximise the benefits of these reforms for citizens in every ward and in our communities.

The Progressive Governors Forum resolved to intensify state-level interventions in areas such as food production and distribution, support to small and medium-scale enterprises, youth employment, social protection for the poorest and most vulnerable, and targeted relief for workers and low-income households.

“We, the Progressive Governors, are committed to working closely with federal institutions, the National Economic Council and local governments to ensure that things keep improving, that no group is left behind, and that the gains of reforms continue to translate into visible improvement in the quality of life of the people.”

By Jackson Udom

On 5 December 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan again resorted to social media to claim incorrectly and misleadingly that His Excellency, the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, had only just filed a multi-billion-naira defamation suit against her over her unfounded allegations of sexual misconduct.

These allegations, as the public is well aware, have never been supported by a single shred of evidence before the Senate Committee or before any competent authority.

For the avoidance of doubt, the facts are clear, verifiable, and already before the court.

Following Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s grave and unsubstantiated accusations capable of inflicting severe reputational damage, Senator Akpabio exercised his constitutional right to seek legal redress. The suit was filed over three months ago. Its progress was temporarily delayed by routine administrative processes and the normal judicial procedures.

Upon the resumption of judicial activities on the file, several attempts were made by the court’s bailiff to personally serve Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan with the originating processes. Each attempt failed due to her deliberate evasion of service, as deposed to under oath in the bailiff’s affidavit now before the court. Only after these repeated evasions did the court, in November this year granted the application for substituted service.

Her claim that the matter was “just filed” is therefore false, misleading, and intended to distort public understanding of the case.

We reiterate that legal disputes are resolved in courtrooms, not through orchestrated narratives and staged outrage on social-media platforms. The online applause Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan habitually seeks cannot replace credible evidence, legal procedure, or judicial scrutiny.

This behaviour is consistent with her pattern during her six-month Senate suspension, an entirely lawful disciplinary measure she sought to delegitimise through digital agitation, only to ultimately serve the suspension in full.

It is time for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to present the “evidence” she claims to possess before a court of competent jurisdiction, rather than relying on sensationalised commentary designed solely to attract sympathy and obscure the facts.

The law is guided by proof, procedure, and due process, not sentiment, not emotion, and certainly not social-media theatrics. She is advised to properly instruct her lawyers, file her defence, and finally provide the evidence she purports to have for the baseless allegations she has peddled over this matter.

This is that her golden opportunity. The public, the media, and the legal community now await her defence to the unsubstantiated accusations capable .

Udom is Special Assistant To President Of The Senate On Media.