KEY POINTS

• Tinubu’s letter asks lawmakers to approve the Benin troop deployment.
• Benin requested urgent military and air support from Nigeria.
• The Senate will review the Benin troop deployment as part of regional security efforts.

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin after a failed coup attempt rattled the country’s political establishment. The request, sent to the upper chamber and read aloud during Tuesday’s plenary session, followed a brief takeover of a television station in Cotonou by rogue soldiers who were later subdued by government forces.

Benin troop deployment request

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s letter during a broadcast on National Assembly TV. The president framed the request as a response to an urgent appeal from the Beninese government, which reported the attempted “unconstitutional seizure of power” and sought immediate air support from Nigeria.

He wrote, “Distinguished Senate President, request for the consent of the Senate for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for a peace mission.”

According to Punch, Tinubu added that the request followed consultations with the National Defence Council. “Pursuant to Section 5, Subsection 5, Part 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I seek, further to consultation with the National Defence Council, the consent of the Senate for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin.”

Based on the letter, Benin’s government told Abuja that democratic institutions faced disruption, prompting its appeal for outside support. Tinubu urged lawmakers to consider Nigeria’s close relationship with its neighbour and its commitments under ECOWAS security principles.

Regional ties and Benin troop deployment

Tinubu wrote, “The distinguished Senate may wish to note that the Government of the Republic of Benin is currently faced with an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and the disruption and destabilisation of democratic institutions. The situation, as reported by the Government of Benin, requires urgent external intervention.”

He continued, “It is our duty to provide the support as requested by the Government of the Republic of Benin. While it is my hope that the Senate will consider and approve this request expeditiously, please accept, distinguished Senate President, distinguished Senators, the assurances of my highest consideration and personal regards.”