The Presidency has hailed Nigeria’s reaction to the failed coup attempt in the Republic of Benin as an affirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to peace, stability, and democratic governance in West Africa.
Reports earlier on Sunday indicated that members of the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, briefly took control of the state television station in Cotonou and announced that they had removed President Patrice Talon from office. Loyal troops, however, swiftly regained control and foiled the plot.
Responding to the incident, the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, emphasized in a statement posted via X on Monday that Tinubu’s response reflects his dedication to preserving democratic order across the region.
He said, “The recent attempted coup in the Republic of Benin once again underscored the critical role President Bola Ahmed Tinubu plays in safeguarding democracy and stability across West Africa.
“As chaos briefly unfolded in Cotonou on December 7, 2025, Nigeria, under President Bola Tinubu’s direction, moved swiftly and decisively, demonstrating firm commitment to constitutional order in the sub-region,” the statement read.
Olusegun further noted that Nigeria’s immediate denunciation of the uprising aligned with the regional stance against unconstitutional takeovers.
“While Benin’s loyal forces rapidly contained the mutiny, Nigeria’s prompt and unequivocal condemnation helped shape the regional response and reinforced a zero-tolerance stance toward unlawful power grabs.”
He explained that Nigeria’s support for Benin’s elected authorities reinforces its leadership role in advocating democratic principles, stating, “Tinubu ensured that Nigeria continued to lead by example, advocating dialogue, stability, and constitutionalism.”
The aide highlighted that this position is consistent with ECOWAS’ approach under Tinubu’s leadership.
“President Tinubu’s leadership also harmonised with ECOWAS’ strong response. As ECOWAS Chair, Tinubu has consistently insisted that the era of coups in West Africa must end, pushing for robust collective action when democratic institutions come under threat,” he said.
While acknowledging that the incident demonstrates the vulnerability of democratic processes in the region, Olusegun emphasized the importance of steadfast leadership.
“President Tinubu’s rapid, coherent, and resolute response reinforced Nigeria’s traditional role as the anchor of West African stability,” he stressed.
He concluded that Benin’s upcoming transition underscores the need for continued vigilance.
“Ultimately, as Benin prepares for its 2026 transition, and as the region continues to grapple with waves of military interventions, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering defence of democracy stands out as a stabilizing force, guiding West Africa toward a future where constitutional order is non-negotiable,” he stated.
