President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the Senate requesting consent for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Benin Republic.
This was disclosed on Tuesday in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary
Tinubu stated that the deployment is for a peace mission in response to the ongoing attempted coup in Benin.
The President explained that the deployment is to provide support in the country as requested by President Patrice Talon, following the recent failed coup attempt.
He noted 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 president said, “the situation as reported by the government of Benin requires urgent external intervention”.
“Considering the close ties of brotherhood and friendship which exists 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,” he added.
Tinubu said it was also in tandem with section 30 sub 5 of Nigeria’s constitution in consultation with Nigeria Defence Council.
“Pursuant to Section 5, Subsection 5, Part 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended,” the letter reads.
“I seek, in further consultation with the National Defence Council, the consent of the senate, for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin.”
The Senate referred the request to the committee of the whole for immediate consideration.
Nigeria had earlier provided air intervention following the unconstitutional breach in Benin Republic.
A source in the 10th Senate earlier revealed that President Tinubu needs at least 14 days to consult with lawmakers for approval before deploying troops for combat operations in another country.
The source, who spoke with Vanguard, disclosed this amid claims in some quarters that the President needed to seek the Senate’s approval 24 hours before or after the deployment of troops.
The presidency had earlier described Nigeria’s response to the attempted coup as a demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership in promoting peace and constitutional order across West Africa.
Troops were deployed to Benin after some soldiers operating under the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, briefly seized the state television station in Cotonou on Sunday, announcing the overthrow of President Patrice Talon’s administration.
However, the coup was thwarted by the intervention of fighter jets and troops deployed in the neighbouring country by President Tinubu.
Explaining circumstances that informed Tinubu’s intervention in the Benin coup, the source quoted Section 5(5) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution which deals with the President’s power to deploy armed forces outside Nigeria for limited combat duty due to imminent national security threats, requiring Senate consent within 14 days of actual combat, with the Senate having seven days to approve or deny, ensuring executive power balance with legislative oversight.
According to the source, who pleaded anonymity, the Constitution emphasises that the President, in consultation with the National Defence Council, can act but must quickly inform the Senate for ratification, highlighting checks and balances on military deployment.
Do you think the Senate will grant the president’s request, and how will it affect Nigeria if the request isn’t granted? Share your views in the comment section
