The Senate has given President Bola Tinubu the government ahead to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for peace keeping mission.
The Senate based its approval on the need to uphold democracy in Benin and also to prevent possible upsurge of refugees into Nigeria through the Benin-Nigeria border if stability is not maintained in that country.
President Tinubu had, in a letter, dated 8th December, 2025, sent the request to the National Assembly and urged prompt legislative action in view of the urgency of the matter.
The President’s letter, which was read at plenary on Tuesday by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, hinged the request on Section 5(5)2 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The request received overwhelming support When Akpabio put it to voice vote, as all senators at plenary voted in support.
Akpabio justified the President’s request and the Senate’s subsequent approval, saying the request for troops was at the instance of the government of the Republic of Benin.
Recall that a group of soldiers in Benin Republic, had on Sunday, announced the overgrow of the democratically elected government of President Patrice Talon.
The coup attempt was however swiftly thwarted by the authorities in that country and the soldiers involved were promptly arrested and detained a few hours after the announcement.
Recall that President Tinubu had deployed Nigerian military fighter jets to that country on Sunday, following the announcement by the coup plotters that they have overthrown the government.
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