Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Senate on Tuesday granted swift approval to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the neighbouring Benin Republic on a peace-keeping mission.
Tinubu, in a letter addressed to the upper legislative chamber, explained that the deployment followed a request from the Government of Benin Republic for urgent military assistance.
The Senate, while approving the request, said the intervention had become necessary to prevent criminality, instability, and destruction of property in the neighbouring country.
Upon receiving the President’s letter, the Senate immediately resolved into the Committee of the Whole. Shortly after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) moved for deliberation, the chamber dissolved into the committee and, within minutes, granted the approval.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the correspondence titled “Deployment of Nigerian Troops to the Republic of Benin for Peace Mission.”
Tinubu stated that the request was made pursuant to Section 5(5), Part 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and after due consultation with the National Defence Council.
He noted that Benin Republic is currently facing “an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and destabilisation of democratic institutions,” adding that the situation required urgent external intervention.
The President stressed that Nigeria’s response was guided by the close ties of “friendship and brotherhood” between both nations and the collective security principles upheld within ECOWAS.
“It is our duty to provide the support as requested by the Government of the Republic of Benin,” the letter read in part.
Tinubu urged the Senate to grant the approval “expeditiously,” while assuring lawmakers of his “highest consideration and personal regards.”
