Nigeria: Tinubu Seeks Senate's Nod for Deployment of Troops to Benin Republic

9 December 2025
Leadership (Abuja)
By Elijah Samson

President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the approval of the Senate for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin to support for a peace mission following an attempted coup in the neighbouring country.

The request was contained in a letter addressed to the Senate and read on the floor of the upper chamber by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday.

In the letter, Tinubu invoked Section 5, Subsection 5, Part 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), seeking the Senate's consent to send troops in response to what he described as a destabilising attempt to overthrow democratic institutions in the Benin Republic.

He explained that the move followed an urgent plea from the government of Benin Republic for "exceptional and immediate provision of air support" from the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines

According to him, Benin is currently facing "an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and disruption and destabilisation of democratic institutions," a situation he said requires "urgent external intervention."

Emphasising Nigeria's longstanding relationship with Benin Republic and the principles of collective security within the ECOWAS sub-region, Tinubu said Nigeria has a duty to respond.

"Considering the close ties of brotherhood and friendship which exist between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, as well as the principles of collective security upheld within ECOWAS, it is our duty to provide the support as requested by the government," the president noted.

He urged the Senate to act swiftly, expressing confidence that lawmakers would grant the necessary approval.

"While it is my hope that the Senate will consider and approve these requests expeditiously, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, Distinguished Senators, the assurances of my highest consideration and personal regards."

Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for immediate deliberation.

Read the original article on Leadership.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2025 Leadership. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 120 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.