Senate Endorses Request To Send Troops To Benin Republic
Senate Endorses Request To Send Troops To Benin Republic
The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request for Nigerian troops to be deployed to the Republic of Benin for a peace mission.
According to the Senate, approving 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 necessary to prevent needless criminal activities and the destruction of property.
The Senate entered the Committee after receiving a letter from the President seeking approval, and the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, moved that the letter should be addressed.
They subsequently sat as the Committee of the Whole to consider the urgent matter.
There was no debate, as the Senate returned to plenary in under two minutes to quickly approve the request.
Earlier in the day, President Tinubu had written to the Senate, seeking consent for the deployment of troops to the Benin Republic for combat operations in another country.
The letter was read on Tuesday by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during plenary.
According to the President, the letter, issued in line with section 5 (5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, was also prompted by the need to support peacekeeping efforts in a neighbouring country.
The President explained that the deployment request followed an appeal from the Benin Republic for assistance, taking into account the long-standing 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 approval was sent to the Committee of the Whole for prompt attention.
It is worth recalling that soldiers under the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, briefly took control of the state television station in Cotonou on Sunday, announcing the removal of President Patrice Talon’s government. However, the coup was foiled through the intervention of fighter jets and troops deployed to the neighbouring country by President Tinubu.
