Breaking: President Tinubu Requests Senate Nod for Troop Deployment to Benin Republic

In a letter to the Senate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu asked for approval to send Nigerian troops to the Benin Republic.

According to reports, Senate President Godswill Akpabio revealed this in a letter during plenary on Tuesday.

According to Tinubu, the deployment is for a peace mission in reaction to Benin’s ongoing coup attempt.

The President clarified that the deployment was made in response to President Patrice Talon’s request for assistance in the wake of the most recent failed coup attempt.

The deployment complies with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc’s protocol.

In consultation with the Nigeria Defence Council, Tinubu also mentioned section 30 sub-5 of the country’s constitution.

The request was forwarded by the Senate to the committee of the whole for prompt consideration.

Nigeria had already intervened by air after the Benin Republic’s unlawful violation.
As previously reported, a source in the 10th Senate disclosed that before sending forces to engage in battle in another nation, President Tinubu must confer with parliamentarians for approval for a minimum of 14 days.

The source, who talked with Vanguard, revealed this in response to assertions made in some quarters that the President had to request Senate approval 24 hours before to or following the deployment of soldiers.

Nigeria’s reaction to the attempted coup, according to the presidency, was an example of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership in advancing peace and constitutional order throughout West Africa.

After some soldiers working under the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” under the command of Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, momentarily took control of the state television station in Cotonou on Sunday and declared the overthrow of President Patrice Talon’s administration, troops were sent to Benin.

However, President Tinubu’s use of fighter jets and troops stationed in the neighboring nation prevented the coup.

Section 5(5) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which deals with the President’s authority to send armed forces outside of Nigeria for limited combat duty due to impending national security threats, was cited by the source to explain the circumstances that led to Tinubu’s intervention in the Benin coup. This clause requires Senate approval within 14 days of actual combat, with the Senate having seven days to approve or deny, ensuring executive power balance with legislative oversight.

The source, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that the Constitution highlights checks and balances on military deployment by emphasizing that the President may act after consulting with the National Defense Council but must promptly notify the Senate for ratification.