President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally asked the Nigerian Senate to approve the deployment of Nigerian military personnel to the Republic of Benin, days after troops had already been dispatched to the neighbouring country following an attempted coup.
The request was conveyed in a letter read during Senate plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Tinubu cited constitutional provisions that require the National Assembly’s consent for the deployment of Nigerian armed forces outside the country.
According to the President, the military action followed an urgent request from the government of Benin Republic for immediate assistance to counter an unconstitutional attempt to seize power. Nigeria responded by deploying air and ground forces to help restore constitutional order and prevent the situation from escalating.
The Presidency explained that the intervention aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to regional security and stability in West Africa, particularly under the framework of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Officials said the Nigerian military presence helped stabilize the situation and supported Beninese authorities in foiling the coup attempt.
The deployment has, however, generated legal and political debate at home. Critics argue that sending troops before obtaining Senate approval may contravene the 1999 Constitution (as amended), while government officials maintain that the urgency of the situation justified immediate action, with legislative approval being sought retrospectively.
Following the President’s request, the Senate referred the matter to a Committee of the Whole for urgent consideration.
The development comes against the backdrop of rising political instability in parts of West Africa, reinforcing Nigeria’s role as a key regional security actor while also reopening debates on constitutional oversight of foreign military missions.
Abuja Network News
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