The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said an attempted military takeover in the Republic of Benin on Sunday failed.
Onanuga, in a post on X, stated that the mutineers, dressed in military uniform, briefly seized the national television station after failing to access President Patrice Talon’s residence.
He added that security forces, led by the National Guard, regained control and surrounded the station, while discussions with the mutineers, who were holed up inside, were ongoing.
Onanuga said, “Coup In Benin Fails. Mutineers in military uniform, who attempted to overthrow President Patrice Talon’s democratic government on Sunday in the Republic of Benin, have failed. The mutineers seized the National TV after failing to enter President Talon’s residence.
“The latest report from Cotonou said the National Guard has taken control of the situation and surrounded the television station. According to 24 Hours In Benin, discussions are underway with the mutineers, now holed up inside the station.”
Chronicle NG reported that the attempted coup followed a group of soldiers appearing on Benin’s state television on Sunday to announce the dissolution of the government in what is being described as an apparent coup, marking yet another power seizure in West Africa.
Identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation, the soldiers declared the removal of the president and all state institutions.
President Patrice Talon, in office since 2016, is scheduled to leave office next April after the presidential election. His party’s preferred candidate, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, has been widely viewed as the frontrunner, while opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was disqualified by the electoral commission for lacking sufficient sponsors.
The attempted takeover comes a month after Benin’s legislature extended the presidential term from five to seven years while retaining the two-term limit.
