Reno Omokri, former presidential aide and social commentator, has openly praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as Nigeria’s firm return to regional leadership and democratic enforcement in West Africa.
In an extensive post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Omokri claimed that Nigerian military assets — including troops and aircraft — were instrumental in thwarting a reported coup attempt in the Republic of Benin over the weekend.
According to him, Nigeria’s swift military-backed response once again underscored the country’s historic role as a stabilising force in the sub-region and reflected Tinubu’s decisive leadership style.
He described the intervention as “a proud moment for Nigeria,” adding that it signals the country’s renewed readiness to defend democracy beyond its borders.
Omokri Revisits Nigeria’s History of Democratic Interventions
Omokri explained that Nigeria’s reported role in stopping the Benin Republic coup is part of a long tradition of regional peacekeeping and pro-democracy intervention.
He stated that this marks the third time Nigeria has directly intervened to prevent the overthrow of an elected African government.
Drawing from history, he recalled the 1964 crisis in Tanganyika (now Tanzania), when political instability and military mutiny threatened the government of Julius Nyerere.
Omokri said Nigeria, under Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, responded by deploying the Nigerian Army’s 3rd Battalion, led by Lt. Colonel James Yakubu Pam, to restore order and stability.
According to him, that intervention ultimately laid the foundation for the unification of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, giving birth to modern-day Tanzania.
Nigeria’s Decisive Role in São Tomé and Príncipe
The former aide also referenced the 2003 coup attempt in São Tomé and Príncipe as another example of Nigeria’s firm diplomatic and military stance.
He explained that during the crisis, former President Olusegun Obasanjo refused to rely solely on diplomacy, opting instead for decisive action backed by military pressure.
Omokri noted that Nigerian Air Force jets were deployed in a show of force above the Presidential Palace, which he said played a crucial role in forcing the coup leader, Major Fernando Pereira, to relinquish power.
Within days, the democratically elected president, Fradique de Menezes, was reinstated, reinforcing Nigeria’s reputation as a defender of constitutional governance in Africa.
Details of the Alleged Benin Coup Attempt
Turning to the most recent development in Benin Republic, Omokri described the situation as one of Nigeria’s most impactful interventions in recent years.
He claimed that Nigeria acted promptly after establishing contact with Benin’s elected government and responding to an official request for assistance.
According to him, Nigerian air and ground forces were swiftly deployed to counter the alleged coup plot reportedly led by Lt. Col Pascal Tigri.
He added that the visible presence of Nigerian fighter jets over Cotonou reassured civilians while discouraging the coup plotters, who were eventually overwhelmed and neutralised.
‘Nigeria Is Back on the Global Stage’
Omokri concluded by linking the reported intervention to broader gains under President Tinubu’s administration.
He highlighted what he described as major improvements in Nigeria’s oil sector, including reduced oil theft, increased production, and the country’s transition from a major petrol importer to a regional exporter.
According to him, Nigeria has surpassed its OPEC production quota for four consecutive months, averaging 1.71 million barrels of crude oil per day — a feat he said had not been achieved in over a decade.
Omokri further stated that these economic and geopolitical developments point to Nigeria’s re-emergence as a strong regional and global player.
He ended his commentary by asserting that under Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is reclaiming its influence, adding that the nation’s “glory days are here again.”