Lolo Uchechi Okwu-Kanu Questions Nigeria’s Swift Defense of Democracy Abroad but Repression of Self-Determination at Home
Abuja, Nigeria – December 9, 2025
Nigeria’s recent military intervention in the Benin Republic continues to spark debate; most Nigerians expressed outrage following the military intervention.
According to Lolo Uchechi Okwu-Kanu, “Nigeria acted under ECOWAS obligations to defend democracy in West Africa. And the government of Benin formally requested Nigeria’s assistance twice before Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu authorized the Nigerian Air Force to enter Benin’s airspace and help dislodge coup plotters.”
According to her, Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has publicly acknowledged Nigeria’s involvement as consensual and targeted exclusively at armed coup elements, not the civilian population nor the government.
However, she criticized Nigeria’s handling of internal security, questioning why the Nigerian military can respond with speed and precision beyond its borders, yet continues to struggle with eliminating insurgent networks at home.
“The contrast here is the Nigeria’s internal struggle in Sambisa Forest, where insurgents remain difficult to eliminate despite repeated airstrike as claimed by the military.”
Okwu-Kanu complained that despite years of air operations over Sambisa Forest, Fulani terrorist groups remain active, and terror attacks “in various locations slip through their security radar.”
She highlighted the contrast between Nigeria’s decisive action abroad and its prolonged battles with domestic insecurity which has led many to wonder why Nigerian citizens do not receive the same urgency given to defending regional democracy.
“The question is, why can Nigeria act swiftly abroad but struggles to fully secure its own citizens at home? Nigeria’s jets soared to defend democracy abroad. Yet Sambisa still shelters terror. Why does Nigeria not protect their own with equal urgency?”
Okwu-Kanu argues that this inconsistency extends beyond military strategy and touches on democratic principles.
She notes that while Nigeria safeguards democratic institutions in neighbouring states, it suppresses peaceful self-determination efforts at home, including “shooting people seeking self-determination, tagging them a terrorist group, nor convicting their leader as they unjustly convicted Mazi #NnamdiKanu.”
“Freedom of expression and association are protected rights under Nigeria’s Constitution and international treaties,” Okwu-Kanu noted, reminding the Nigerian government that International frameworks, from the UN Charter to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, affirm the right of peoples to self-determination, including through referendums and political dialogue.
She stressed that human-rights advocates warn that militarizing peaceful movements undermines constitutional freedoms and risks escalating conflict.
As Nigeria positions itself as a defender of democracy regionally, she argues, it must also uphold democratic rights and civil liberties within its own borders.
Read her post below:
