President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate’s approval to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin as part of a regional peacekeeping intervention aimed at safeguarding democratic stability.
His request aligns with ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent further unrest in the neighbouring West African nation after an attempted coup rattled its political structure.
The correspondence from the President, presented during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stressed that the proposed deployment followed direct appeals from Benin’s leader, President Patrice Talon, who sought security support following the failed takeover attempt.
Moreover, Tinubu’s position reflects a broader mandate under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where Nigeria currently plays a leading role in resolving threats against democratic governance across the region.
The Senate has referred the proposal for accelerated deliberation, signalling its national significance and the potential security implications for Nigeria.
A senior parliamentary source explained that such decisions require firm legislative oversight to ensure constitutional compliance.
“Military deployment outside our borders is not a casual decision. It demands consultation, justification, and accountability,” the source said.
The President rooted the request within Section 5(5) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which allows the deployment of armed forces for limited operations due to imminent threats, provided the Senate is formally informed within 14 days. This provision guarantees executive agility while upholding legislative checks.
Furthermore, Nigeria had previously engaged in targeted aerial response during the coup attempt, with troops and fighter jets assisting Beninese authorities after mutinous soldiers briefly seized state television to announce the ousting of President Talon.
The presidency maintained that the response underscored Nigeria’s determination to prevent democratic collapse within the region.
A security analyst based in Abuja described the initiative as “a calculated step to prevent instability from spilling across West Africa,” adding that failed coups have historically emboldened similar attempts in neighbouring countries.
However, lawmakers say due process must remain central.
Another source in the Senate noted that public assumptions that the President could deploy troops within 24 hours without consent were “misunderstandings of constitutional provisions,” emphasising that the National Defence Council must be consulted and the Senate carried along in the interest of transparency.
As deliberations continue, defence stakeholders highlight that prolonged instability in Benin could pose economic, humanitarian, and security risks to Nigeria due to their shared border and regional trade corridors.
The decision is expected to spark robust debate as the Senate considers the balance between regional obligations and national interests, a recurring theme in West Africa’s evolving security landscape.