Govs hail Tinubu’s decisive military intervention in Benin

President Bola Tinubu. Photo: State House

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The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has lauded President Bola Tinubu for his decisive military intervention in Benin Republic following a failed coup attempt, describing the action as vital for Nigeria’s security and regional stability in West Africa.

In a statement on Monday, NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said a successful coup in Benin could have had far-reaching consequences for Nigeria.

He noted that militants and hostile non-state actors in the Sahel region could have exploited the political vacuum to further destabilise the neighbouring country, directly affecting Nigeria due to its proximity.

“Apart from admirably acting in support of democracy in the subregion, the President acted in the best interest of our country and West Africa with the intervention.

“With the Sahel in disarray and dire security conditions, and a significant portion of Benin, especially the W-forest, already infested by the militants, a successful coup would have had devastating effects on our own country due to our proximity to Benin Republic which shares border with many of our states,” the statement read.

AbdulRazaq added that democracy remains the best form of government to ensure regional peace, stability, and development.

“It is our position that democracy, whatever its challenges, remains the best form of government for regional peace, stability, and development,” he said, noting that Nigeria’s prompt response had prevented potential spillover of insecurity into the country.

The Forum also highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s intervention to the wider West African subregion.

“Subsuing the coup on the invitation of Benin Republic is a big plus for the collective security efforts by ECOWAS in the region and for Nigeria in particular.

“For instance, security threats on Porto Novo, Cotonou, or Parakou constitute grave security risk to Nigeria, and the President’s firm action is an effective check to this,” the statement added.

PUNCH Online had reported that the coup attempt occurred on Sunday, December 7, 2025, when a faction of soldiers identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” appeared on national television declaring President Patrice Talon removed from office.

The soldiers had attacked the president’s residence and attempted to seize key military installations.

Benin’s loyal armed forces swiftly regained control of the country’s capital, Cotonou, and other strategic locations, ensuring that the coup failed.

Sources close to Talon confirmed that the city and the country were “completely secure” and that efforts were ongoing to apprehend fleeing coup plotters.

Following the coup attempt, the Economic Community of West African States activated its standby force, which includes troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana.

The regional force is tasked with supporting the Beninese government and military to preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of Benin Republic.

The NGF noted that President Tinubu’s timely decision to deploy Nigerian fighter jets and ground troops not only restored stability in Benin but also reinforced Nigeria’s role as a regional stabilising force.

The intervention, according to the Forum, serves as a warning to other would-be coup plotters in West Africa that forceful seizures of power will meet with decisive responses.

The NGF concluded by reiterating its commendation for Tinubu and the Nigerian Armed Forces, emphasising that their swift action had averted a crisis that could have had serious implications for Nigeria’s internal security and economic interests.

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