Senate Approves Tinubu’s Request to Deploy Nigerian Troops to Benin After Failed Coup
The Senate has approved the request of President Bola Tinubu for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for a regional peace-stabilisation mission.
The approval followed the reading of a formal letter from Tinubu, seeking the consent of the Senate to authorise a military deployment aimed at preventing an “unconstitutional seizure” of power and the “destabilisation” of democratic institutions in the neighbouring country.
The move comes two days after rogue soldiers briefly seized control of a television station in Cotonou, Benin’s economic capital, before being repelled by loyal government forces.
Read Also:
The intervention request was presented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday, as broadcast live on National Assembly Television.
According to the letter, the Benin government has asked Nigeria for “exceptional and immediate” military support, including air operations, to help stabilise the situation. Tinubu cited Section 5(5) of the Nigerian Constitution and consultations with the National Defence Council as the basis for his request.
The President noted that democratic institutions in Benin “are being threatened by an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power,” and said Nigeria has a responsibility to support a neighbouring state under ECOWAS collective security principles.
By PRNigeria
