Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the 2023 Election, Prince Adewole Adebayo has strongly condemned the attempted military takeover in the Republic of Benin, calling it an assault on democratic progress and a warning sign for the entire West African region.
Reacting to the foiled coup, Adebayo said the wave of military interventions sweeping parts of West Africa remains deeply troubling at a time when the region should be consolidating democracy.
He aligned with ECOWAS’s zero-tolerance stance on unconstitutional change of government, insisting that “unelected governments have no place in any West African state.”
Adebayo, however, stressed that democracy cannot thrive without credible elections and responsible governance. “Coups do not happen in countries where elections are genuinely free, fair, and credible,” he said. “When political leaders manipulate the electoral process or restrict the opposition, they weaken democracy and create the conditions for instability.”
Citing concerns raised by opposition groups in Benin, Adebayo noted that President Patrice Talon has been accused of shrinking political space ahead of next year’s expected handover. He said such actions deepen frustration among citizens, even though they still do not justify a resort to military intervention. “Coups are not the answer. They do not solve political problems and they never address the root causes,” he added.
He welcomed reports that Benin’s civil authorities and the Republican Army had restored control and quelled the mutiny, describing it as a “positive step toward stability.”
Adebayo urged ECOWAS to pair its strong sanctions against military takeovers with equal pressure on member states to uphold good governance, ensure fair elections, and respect opposition rights. “You cannot condemn coups without also condemning the actions that make citizens lose faith in democracy,” he warned.
He further called on West African citizens to remain vigilant in defending democratic institutions, while reminding political leaders that they bear a duty to govern in ways that build trust, protect freedoms, and preserve stability.
Adebayo Condemns Foiled Benin Coup, Warns West African Leaders Against Fueling Instability
