President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate’s approval to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin.
The request was revealed on Tuesday when Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s letter during plenary.
According to the letter, the troop deployment is intended for a peacekeeping mission in response to a recent attempted coup in Benin. President Tinubu explained that the intervention is being made at the request of Benin’s President Patrice Talon following the failed coup attempt.
Tinubu stated that “the government of the Republic of Benin is currently confronted with an unconstitutional attempt to seize power, which threatens the stability of its democratic institutions.”
He added that “the situation, as reported by the government of Benin, requires urgent external intervention.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s close relationship with Benin and the principles of collective security under ECOWAS, Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria has a duty to provide the requested support.
The president also referenced Section 5(5) of the Nigerian Constitution, noting that, in consultation with the National Defence Council, the Senate’s consent is required for such overseas troop deployments.
“Pursuant to Section 5, Subsection 5, Part 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I seek the consent of the Senate for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin,” the letter read.
The Senate has now referred the request to the committee of the whole for immediate review.
Earlier, Nigeria provided air support following the unconstitutional actions in Benin. A source in the 10th Senate revealed that the President has up to 14 days to consult lawmakers and secure approval for deploying troops abroad for combat operations. This clarifies misconceptions suggesting Senate consent is required within 24 hours of deployment.
The Presidency described Nigeria’s intervention as a demonstration of President Tinubu’s leadership in maintaining peace and constitutional order across West Africa.
The coup attempt involved a group of soldiers under the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, who briefly seized the state television station in Cotonou and announced the overthrow of President Patrice Talon.
The coup was quickly foiled by fighter jets and troops deployed from Nigeria under Tinubu’s direction.
A source explained that Section 5(5) of the 1999 Constitution empowers the President, in consultation with the National Defence Council, to deploy the military outside Nigeria for limited combat in response to imminent security threats, but Senate consent must be sought within 14 days. The Senate then has seven days to approve or reject the request, ensuring a balance of executive and legislative authority.
The source added that this process ensures swift action in emergencies while maintaining checks and balances on the deployment of Nigerian forces abroad.
