The former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the attempted coup in the Republic of Benin, calling it both unacceptable and a threat to democratic governance.
On Sunday, a faction of soldiers declared that they had taken control of the government in the West African nation.
A few hours later, the Benin Republic presidency confirmed that President Patrice Talon was unharmed and that the “regular” army was working to restore control.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) also supported the Beninese authorities by conducting combat air patrol missions over Cotonou, the country’s capital.
Abubakar described the increasing attacks on constitutional rule as troubling, noting that military involvement in politics is no longer acceptable in Africa or across the region.
“I condemn, without reservation and in the strongest possible terms, the coup d’état in the Benin Republic,” he said.
He further noted that the timing of several recent coups—often occurring near election periods—raises questions about efforts to disrupt democratic processes.
“The Benin presidential election is scheduled for April 2026 while the purported military take over in Guinea-Bissau happened on the eve of the expected announcement of the results of that country’s poll,” he said.
He cautioned that some political actors may be relying on the military to derail democratic procedures.
“It raises fears that some political operators may be using the military to cancel the democratic processes,” he added.
Abubakar stressed that this trend threatens the stability of democracy within the West African sub-region.
“This trend is dangerous for the health of democracy in the West African sub-region and must be stopped before it becomes the rule and not the exception,” he said.
He concluded by emphasising that soldiers must remain within their constitutional duties.
“Soldiers have no business anywhere outside their barracks, and every decisive measure must be taken to crush any emerging appetite for subverting democracy,” he added.