By Desire Emmanuel
The Senate on Tuesday afternoon approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy troops and air power to the Republic of Benin.
The request, according to the President, was to help protect the neighbouring country’s democratic institutions.
Senators in the Committee of the Whole unanimously approved Tinubu’s request when a voice vote was called.
In a letter read earlier to senators by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu said the troop deployment, which he said was on a peace mission was in compliance with Section 5(4) Part II of the 1999 Constitution, in due consultations with the National Defence Council.
Tinubu added that the deployment was in response to a request made by the Republic of Benin in the wake of the attempted coup in the neighbouring country over the weekend.
During the closed-door deliberation, senators considered the broader security and humanitarian implications of the proposed mission — particularly the potential for a mass refugee influx into Nigeria should instability escalate in the country, as well as the likely impact on already fragile border communities.
Lawmakers also examined the strategic necessity of early intervention, with several members reportedly arguing that a swift regional response would help deter anti-democratic actors and preserve stability within the West African sub-region.
After extended discussions, the committee of the whole voted in favour of authorising the deployment.
