Senate Approves Tinubu’s Request to Deploy Nigerian Troops to Benin Republic Over Coup Attempt

The Senate has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to Benin Republic following an alleged coup attempt in the neighbouring West African country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the upper chamber granted the approval on Tuesday after expeditious consideration of the request at the Committee of the Whole.

Earlier, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s letter seeking parliamentary consent for the deployment of Nigerian forces outside the country.

In the letter, the president described the situation in Benin Republic as an “attempted unconstitutional seizure of power”, which he said posed a serious threat to the country’s democratic institutions.

According to NAN, the request was transmitted in line with Section 5(5), Part II of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates National Assembly approval for external military deployments.

Tinubu informed lawmakers that the request followed a formal plea from the Government of Benin Republic for Nigeria’s immediate air support to help contain the unfolding crisis.

“The Government of the Republic of Benin is currently faced with an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and the disruption and destabilisation of democratic institutions,” the letter read in part.

The president explained that the decision was reached after consultations with the National Defence Council, stressing Nigeria’s regional leadership role and long-standing diplomatic ties with Benin.

“The distinguished Senate may wish to note that the Government of the Republic of Benin requires exceptional and immediate air support.

“Considering the close ties of brotherhood and friendship between Nigeria and Benin, as well as the principles of collective security upheld within ECOWAS, it is our duty to provide the support as requested,” Tinubu stated.

Following the approval, Senate President Akpabio commended the president for acting within constitutional limits.

“He is acting constitutionally. And I also want to thank my colleagues for giving the approval and consent without much discussion.

“This is a step in the right direction. An injury to one is an injury to all. The impact this would have had on Nigeria’s border security would have been terrible.

“So we congratulate him for rising to the occasion, and we wholly consent to his actions,” Akpabio said.