President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday requested the Senate’s approval to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin following a recent coup attempt in the country.
On Sunday, the President had deployed members of the Nigerian Armed Forces to Benin to help restore democracy after a faction of soldiers attempted to overthrow the government.
Tinubu’s request, contained in a letter titled “Deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for a peace mission”, was read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the letter, the President cited Section 5(5), Part 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and indicated that, in consultation with the National Defence Council, he seeks the Senate’s consent for the troop deployment.
“This request is made further to a request received from the government of Benin Republic for the exceptional and immediate provision of air support by the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Distinguished Senate may wish to note that the Government of the Republic of Benin is currently faced with an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and disruption and destabilization of democratic institutions.
“The situation as reported by the Government of Benin requires urgent external intervention.
“The Distinguished Senate considers the close ties of brotherhood and friendship which exist between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, as well as the principles of collective security upheld within ECOWAS.
“It is our duty to provide the support as requested by the Government of the Republic of Benin.”
After reading the letter, Akpabio committed the President’s request for consent to the Committee of the Whole for immediate action.
