By: Aremu Toyeebaht
The Senate has formally approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin, following last weekend’s attempted military takeover in the neighbouring country.
The approval was announced on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary, after the president’s request was reviewed in the Committee of the Whole, in line with Section 5, Part II of the Constitution. Lawmakers voted unanimously, granting parliamentary authorization for Nigeria’s participation in the regional security mission.
Akpabio described the decision as timely and crucial, emphasizing that unrest in a neighbouring nation could destabilize the wider West African region. “An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said, stressing Nigeria’s commitment under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) framework.
In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu noted that Nigeria bears a historic responsibility to assist Benin under existing ECOWAS security arrangements. He warned that the situation requires urgent external intervention to prevent further deterioration.
The Senate is expected to immediately forward formal approval to President Tinubu, paving the way for Nigerian forces to join efforts in restoring calm and stability in Benin.
