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From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate has approved the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin to restore public order and stabilise the country following an aborted coup two days ago.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu requested the Senate’s consent for the deployment, two days after authorising Nigerian air and ground forces to intervene and help “scuttle” the attempted military takeover in Cotonou. His request was conveyed in a letter read during plenary on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Tinubu had ordered the emergency operation on Sunday in response to an “exceptional and immediate request” from the Beninese government, which he said was facing “an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and disruption and destabilization of democratic institutions.”
Under Section 5(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President must obtain Senate consent before deploying troops outside Nigeria, except in situations where delay would pose a threat to national security. In such instances, he may act first but must report to the National Assembly within seven days for approval.
In his letter titled “Deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for a peace mission,” Tinubu said the situation in Benin required urgent intervention, noting Nigeria’s historic ties and shared security obligations under ECOWAS.
“The distinguished Senate may wish to note the close ties of brotherhood and friendship which exist between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, as well as the principles of collective security upheld within ECOWAS,” he said. He urged the lawmakers to consider and approve the request “expeditiously.”
The Senate referred the request to the Committee of the Whole, which unanimously approved it after deliberation. Lawmakers commended Tinubu for his swift action, saying it averted instability that could have spilled into Nigeria.
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Senate President Akpabio said the President’s decisive response prevented a humanitarian crisis. “His action saved us from the influx of thousands and thousands of refugees, while ensuring that there is peace at the border between the two countries,” he said. “An injury to one is an injury to all. A letter of consent will be sent to the President immediately.”
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele provided further clarification on the Senate’s approval, stressing that the President’s letter was not a fresh request to initiate military action, but a constitutionally required follow-up after an emergency deployment undertaken in the interest of Nigeria’s national and regional security.
He cited Section 5(5) of the Constitution, explaining that the same section that mandates Senate approval also provides an exception for instances where urgent action is required to address an imminent threat.
According to him, the Constitution allows the President after consulting the National Defence Council to deploy troops immediately, provided he seeks Senate consent within seven days. The Senate then has 14 days to either approve or reject the action.
“This was precisely what occurred in the case of the Republic of Benin,” Bamidele said. “What we have done today is to respond faithfully to the provisions of Section 5, Subsection 5 of the Constitution. The President requested our consent for what was already done, and the Senate acted within the time allowed by law.”
He thanked senators for their unity, patriotism and speed, noting that the Senate approved the request without waiting for the full 14-day constitutional window.
“This decision reflects the collective will of well-meaning Nigerians who believe that democracy must be protected in Africa, especially in West Africa,” he added.
