The Digest:
The Nigerian Senate has granted expeditious approval to President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy military troops to the Republic of Benin as part of a regional peacekeeping mission, following a recent failed coup attempt against President Patrice Talon. The approval, given within minutes during Tuesday’s plenary, authorizes intervention under ECOWAS collective security principles.
Key Points:
- The Senate approved the deployment without debate in under two minutes
- President Tinubu’s request cited Section 5(5) of the 1999 Constitution and a formal appeal from Benin
- The mission aims to support democratic stability after an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power
- Nigerian fighter jets and troops had already assisted in thwarting the coup on Sunday
- Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the presidential letter during plenary
- The move is framed as upholding brotherhood, friendship, and ECOWAS security protocols
- This marks another rapid Nigerian-led military intervention in the West African subregion
Sources: Senate Proceedings, Vanguard
