Senate approves Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to Benin Republic

The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to Benin Republic amid coup attempt in the country.

The Senate expeditiously approved the president’s request after consideration of the request at the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio had earlier read Tinubu’s letter seeking the upper chamber’s approval for the deployment.

Tinubu, in the letter, described the crisis in Benin as an “attempted unconstitutional seizure of power in the neighbouring West African country.”

The letter was transmitted pursuant to Section 5(5), Part 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires parliamentary consent for external military deployment.

The president stated that the move followed a formal plea from the government of Benin Republic for Nigeria’s immediate air support to quell the emerging crisis.

Tinubu informed the lawmakers that the Beninese government was currently grappling with the destabilisation of its democratic institutions, necessitating urgent external intervention.

The president stated that the request had become necessary after consultations with the National Defence Council, noting Nigeria’s regional responsibility and long-standing ties with Benin.

Tinubu seeks Senate approval to deploy soldiers in Benin Republic

“Considering the close ties of brotherhood and friendship between Nigeria and Benin, as well as the principles of collective security upheld within ECOWAS, it is our duty to provide the support as requested,” he said.

Speaking after the approval, Akpabio said Tinubu took a step in the right direction.

Akpabio said: “He is acting constitutionally. And I also want to thank my colleagues for giving the approval and the consent without much discussion.

“This is because we believe that this is a step in the right direction. So I believe the letter of consent will be sent to the president immediately.

“We thank him (Tinubu) for rising to the occasion because an injury to one is an injury to all. And moreover, the impact this would have had on Nigeria in terms of security of our borders would have been terrible.

“So we congratulate him for rising to the occasion and we wholly consent to his actions.”

The Star