Tinubu Seeks Senate Backing for Troop Deployment to Foil Benin Coup Attempt

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, formally requested the Senate’s consent for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin, following an attempted coup in the neighbouring West African country.

In a letter addressed to the Senate and read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu said the urgent request was triggered by a direct appeal from the Government of Benin Republic for immediate military assistance, particularly air support, to halt an unfolding attempt to overthrow its democratic order.

Tinubu, who also serves as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, anchored the request on Section 5(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires Senate approval for deployment of Nigerian armed forces on external missions.

He revealed that the situation in Benin had reached a critical stage that demanded swift intervention to prevent destabilisation of democratic institutions in the country and the wider ECOWAS subregion.

“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 President wrote.

“The situation requires urgent external intervention. The distinguished Senate may wish to note 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.”

Tinubu emphasised that Nigeria owed a duty to protect democratic governance in the region and prevent a domino effect of instability.

He urged the Senate to expedite consideration and grant consent to enable the Armed Forces respond without delay.

Immediately after reading the letter, Akpabio referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for urgent deliberation, signalling the Senate’s readiness to treat the matter as a national priority.

Lawmakers were expected to review operational, legal and diplomatic implications of the proposed deployment.

Tinubu assured the Senate of his “highest consideration,” expressing confidence that the upper chamber would act swiftly in the interest of regional security.

The attempted coup in Benin marks another flashpoint in West Africa, a region that has confronted a troubling resurgence of military takeovers in recent years, from Mali and Burkina Faso to Guinea and Niger.

ECOWAS, under Tinubu’s leadership, has repeatedly pledged to defend constitutional order, warning that unconstitutional changes of government threaten regional stability.

Only days earlier, the organisation issued strong statements condemning the situation in Cotonou, while calling on member states to stand firm against anti-democratic forces.

Nigeria and Benin maintain long-standing security cooperation, particularly along their shared borders, where joint operations have focused on counterterrorism, smuggling and transnational crime.

The current crisis presents a new test of that partnership, as well as Nigeria’s willingness to assume a leading role in safeguarding democratic governance across the subregion.

If approved, the deployment would add Nigeria’s military weight to an emerging regional response aimed at preventing a repeat of the rapid government collapses witnessed elsewhere in the Sahel.

The Senate’s decision is expected imminently, given the urgent nature of the request and the potential implications for both Nigeria and the West African region.