President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate’s authorization to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for a peace support and combat-readiness operation. The request was conveyed in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session.
In the letter, Tinubu noted that the appeal aligns with Section 5(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates presidential consultation with the legislature before committing the armed forces to military action. He emphasized that the deployment has become necessary due to Benin’s call for assistance and Nigeria’s responsibility to help maintain stability within the sub-region, particularly given the shared history, proximity, and strong diplomatic ties between both nations.
Tinubu explained that Benin requested urgent support following recent instability within its borders. Over the weekend, a faction of soldiers operating under a group known as the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, briefly seized the state-owned television station in Cotonou and declared the removal of President Patrice Talon. The attempted coup was quickly suppressed after prompt military intervention—an effort strengthened by support from neighboring Nigeria under Tinubu’s regional leadership.
By seeking Senate approval, the President aims to ensure that Nigeria’s involvement remains constitutionally grounded and strategically targeted at restoring calm, safeguarding democratic governance, and preventing further unrest in the region.
0 Comments