JUST IN: BENIN INTERIOR MINISTER SAYS COUP ATTEMPT BY "A SMALL GROUP OF SOLDIERS" HAS BEEN THWARTED BY THE MILITARY. | #RWGBLOG

The Benin Republic presidency says Patrice Talon is safe and the “regular” army is regaining control, after a faction of soldiers claimed to have removed him from power, the presidency announced on Sunday.

Gunshots were fired near Talon’s residence as armoured vehicles deployed in the presidential palace patrolled the perimeter.

In a brief statement, the presidency dismissed the soldiers’ declaration as the actions of a fringe group with limited influence.

“This is a small group of individuals who only managed to seize the television station. The regular army is steadily regaining control. Both the city and the entire country remain completely secure,” the statement said.

The clarification follows an earlier broadcast by soldiers identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” who declared that Talon had been removed from office.

The government has since described the broadcast as an isolated disruption, assuring citizens that the situation is under control.

Comments

Post a Comment

TRENDING ON RWGBLOG NEWS

DAVID MARK BOWS OUT AS ADC INTERIM CHAIRMAN, RALPH NWOSU SET TO LEAD PARTY TO CONVENTION

Image
Fresh developments within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) indicate that Senator David Mark has reportedly agreed to step aside as interim national chairman, paving the way for former party chairman Ralph Nwosu to take charge of the leadership process ahead of the party’s national convention. The move comes amid the ongoing leadership dispute and growing pressure over the legality of the current structure following recent actions by INEC.  Party insiders say the decision is aimed at stabilising the ADC and allowing the convention process to move forward under a familiar leadership figure. Ralph Nwosu, who previously handed over the party structure to David Mark, is now expected to supervise the convention and help resolve internal tensions as the opposition coalition prepares for the 2027 elections. The development has already triggered strong reactions within political circles, with many seeing it as a major twist in the ADC’s power struggle.
Read more

"I WISH I COULD SHOOT HIM THROUGH THE TV." - FCT MINISTER WIKE REACTS TO JOURNALIST SEUN ONE-PARTY STATE COMMENT

Image
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has revealed that he was so frustrated by a comment made by Channels Television journalist Seun Okinbaloye that he wished he could “sh++t him through the TV screen.” Wike made the remarks on Friday during a media chat in Abuja. The controversy stems from Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, which focused on the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). On the show, Okinbaloye expressed concern over Nigeria potentially becoming a one-party state, noting that the ADC, seen as one of the opposition’s few alternatives, might not contest the 2027 elections due to internal crises. He said: “I’m particularly very pained because what makes the race interesting is when it’s competitive, not when only one party stands in the middle of the ballot. If the ADC one of the only hopes of the opposition cannot con...
Read more

SENIOR AL-SHABAAB COMMANDER CAPTURED IN PRECISION OPERATION IN SOMALIA

Image
A senior commander of Al-Shabaab has been captured in a highly coordinated counterterrorism operation conducted by forces of Somali National Army (SNA), marking a significant blow to the militant network in southern Somalia. The operation was carried out by elite units of the SNA, notably the 203rd Unit of the 20th Brigade under the Gorgor Commandos, in a carefully planned, intelligence-driven raid. The high-value target, identified as Salaad Macalin Cusmaan Cabdiyow, also known as “Salaad Dheere,” was apprehended in the village of Soo-Maray, located approximately 5 kilometers west of Mubaarak in the Lower Shabelle region. According to security sources, Salaad Dheere was a key operational figure within Al-Shabaab’s insurgency network, responsible for coordinating militant activities and sustaining operations across Lower Shabelle. His capture represents a major tactical and operational victory for Somali forces and their partners, including the African Union mission in Soma...
Read more

"OVER 2,000 INNOCENT LIVES WERE LOST IN LEKUMA OGONI COMMUNITIES DURING THE ABACHA MILITARY LED JUNTA GOVT." - PRINCE REVEALS

Image
Lekuma, the 17 Ogoni Communities that cut across three local governments Tai, Eleme  and Oyigbo of Rivers State have announced plans to commemorate the 32nd Remembrance Day in honor of fallen heroes and innocent victims of the abacha military led junta. In a statement issued by Prince Divine Manson Barifodum on behalf of the communities, all sons and daughters of Ogoni land—both at home and in the diaspora—have been invited to attend the solemn event. The remembrance is aimed at honoring the memory of over 2,000 lives lost during the crisis, which also led to the destruction of more than 17 communities, properties worth millions of naira, and the displacement of over 70,000 people. The community further lamented that a significant portion of land in the Tai Kingdom has since been taken over and remains under invasion following the tragic events. According to the organizers, the event will serve as a moment of reflection, unity, and a renewed call for justice, as well as...
Read more

2027: "I WANT TO ASSURE NIGERIANS THAT THE 2027 ELECTION WILL BE FREE FAIR AND CREDIBLE." - JOASH AMUTIPAN, INEC CHAIR

Image
Professor Josh Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, said he is committed to delivering free, fair and credible elections in 2027 and wants every Nigerian to know that their vote will count.  He gave the assurance during an interview with Arise News while addressing widespread public cynicism about the integrity of the electoral process. He said the commission is taking aggressive steps on voter education, mobilisation and security to counter both apathy and intimidation. Amupitan added that the revalidation exercise is itself part of the effort to improve the quality and credibility of the voters register ahead of the election. He said: "I want to assure Nigerians that the 2027 election will be fair. I still stand on it. The 2027 election will be free and credible.  We are embarking on very aggressive voters education not only to assure people that their votes will count but also to teach them about the electoral processes and to enc...
Read more

BROADCASTERS ASK WIKE TO PUBLICLY APOLOGISE TO SEUN OKINBALOYE, THREATEN BOYCOTT OF HIS BRIEFINGS

Image
The Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN) has asked Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to retract a remark he made about Seun Okinbaloye, a journalist with Channels Television. IBAN is the umbrella body for all independent broadcast stations in Nigeria. The group also threatened to boycott all media engagements organised by the minister if he does not publicly apologise to the journalist. In a statement signed by Ahmed Ramalan, IBAN chairman; and Fidelis Duker, acting general secretary; the association expressed concern over the implications of the comment aired during a live television interview.
Read more

INEC COMMISSIONER CONFIRMS WIKE GAVE FCT LAND TO ELECTORAL COMMISSION OFFICIALS - SOURCE SAHARA REPORTERS

Image
Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has firmly denied allegations that over 29 of its top officials received $50,000 bribes, describing the claims as unfounded. The denial comes amid growing concerns sparked by recent reports alleging possible undue influence ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC maintained that the land allocations in question followed all due procedures, stressing that beneficiaries applied through proper channels and paid the required fees. However, sources familiar with the matter claim that some of the allocated plots are valued at over ₦180 million, intensifying public scrutiny and controversy surrounding the issue. Further allegations suggest that certain beneficiaries may have received financial assistance or special waivers to secure ownership of the properties. The situation has heightened political tension between INEC and opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as de...
Read more

ANOTHER FACTION EMERGES IN ADC, DISSOCIATES FROM DAVID MARK-LED COALITION AND NAFIU BALA'S GROUP

Image
Another Faction Emerges in ADC, Dissociates from David Mark-Led Coalition and Nafiu Bala’s Group A fresh faction has surfaced within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring itself the authentic leadership of the party and distancing itself from both the Senator David Mark-led opposition coalition and the faction associated with Nafiu Bala. The new group, led by Don Norman Obinna, claims to be the duly elected National Executive Committee (NEC) members of the ADC.  At a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the faction stated that the tenure of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu who handed over the party to the David Mark group officially ended in August 2022. It accused Nwosu of clinging to power illegally, which triggered multiple litigations. The group described Nwosu’s handover of the party to the opposition coalition as “an illegal act.” In a series of key resolutions announced during the briefing, the Obinna-led faction: - Fully dissociated itself from Sen...
Read more

"PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL INTERVENE IN NIGERIA IF THE KILLINGS CONTINUES" - U.S CONGRESSMAN RILEY MOORE WARNS

Image
 A US congressman warns of direct intervention in the Nigeria security crisis if the government fails to curb ongoing killings, especially of Christians. On Palm Sunday, in two brazen attacks at least 53 Christians were murdered by Islamic radical terrorists in Nigeria. President Trump has been very clear that if the Nigerian government will not address this genocide, we will address it for them. The persecution and slaughter of our brothers and sisters in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ must end NOW.
Read more

ADC REJECTS INEC’S INTERPRETATION OF APPEAL COURT DECISION, SAYS ELECTORAL BODY UNDER GOVERNMENT PRESSURE

Image
 The African Democratic Congress has rejected the interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling by the Independent National Electoral Commisson and removal of the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, its National Chairman and Secretary from its portal. The party said that INEC acted under pressure from a government panicked by the opposition momentum despite its efforts to destroy all opposition parties and foist a one-party rule on Nigeria. The ADC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described INEC’s position as contradictory and inconsistent with facts, insisting that it would publicly clarify the issues. While warning that the commission has effectively sided with the government against Nigerians, the ADC said it is currently reviewing its options and will announce its next steps soon. The party urged its members and the public to remain steadfast as events unfold.
Read more