The Senate has promptly granted approval to President Bola Tinubu’s request for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for a peace mission.
According to the Senate, confirming and endorsing President Tinubu’s decision to send troops to the neighbouring Republic of Benin as part of a peace mission following a failed coup attempt against President Patrice Talon was aimed at preventing unnecessary criminal acts and the destruction of property.
The Senate moved into the Committee of the Whole upon receiving a letter from the President seeking approval, while the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, urged the chamber to deliberate on the letter.
They then convened as the Committee of the Whole to consider the urgent request.
There was no debate, as it took less than two minutes for them to return to plenary and approve the request without delay.
President Tinubu had earlier in the day written to the Senate, seeking its consent to deploy troops to the Benin Republic for combat operations in another nation.
The letter was read on Tuesday by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during the plenary session.
According to the President, the letter, which was issued in line with section 5 (5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, became necessary due to the need for peacekeeping support to a neighbouring country.
The President explained that the deployment of troops followed a request by the Benin Republic for assistance and was informed by the close ties of friendship and brotherhood.
The letter was titled, “Deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for peace mission.”
Tinubu’s letter to the Senate read, “Pursuant to Section 5 (5) Part 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 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.
“This request is made further to a request received from the Government of Benin Republic for the exceptional and immediate provision of air support by the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“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 disruption and destabilisation of democratic institutions.
“The situation as reported by the Government of Benin requires urgent external intervention. The distinguished Senate considers 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 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.
“Yours sincerely, Bola Ametunegwu, President, Commander-in-Chief, Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
This request for consent was forwarded to the Committee of the Whole for immediate consideration.
It will be recalled that soldiers operating under the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, briefly captured the state television station in Cotonou on Sunday and announced the removal of President Patrice Talon’s government, but the coup was halted through the intervention of fighter jets and troops deployed to the neighbouring country by President Tinubu.
