In a letter to the Senate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu asked for permission to send Nigerian troops to the Benin Republic.
According to reports, Senate President Godswill Akpabio revealed this on Tuesday during plenary.
According to Tinubu, the deployment is for a peace mission in reaction to the ongoing coup attempt in Benin.
The President clarified that the deployment was made in response to President Patrice Talon’s request for assistance in the wake of the recent failed coup attempt.
The deployment complies with the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) protocol.
In collaboration with the Nigeria Defence Council, Tinubu stated this in addition to section 30 sub-5 of the country’s constitution.
For prompt consideration, the Senate forwarded the request to the committee of the whole.
Nigeria had previously intervened by air after the Benin Republic’s constitutional violation.
As previously reported, a source in the 10th Senate disclosed that before sending forces to engage in battle in another nation, President Tinubu must meet with parliamentarians for approval for at least 14 days.
The source, who talked with Vanguard, revealed this in response to assertions from some quarters that the President had to request Senate approval 24 hours before to or following the deployment of soldiers.
Nigeria’s response to the attempted coup was previously touted by the administration as an example of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership in advancing peace and constitutional order throughout West Africa.
After some soldiers working under the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” under the command of Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, momentarily took control of the official television station in Cotonou on Sunday and declared the overthrow of President Patrice Talon’s government, troops were sent to Benin.
However, President Tinubu’s use of fighter jets and troops stationed in the neighboring countries prevented the coup.
Section 5(5) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which deals with the President’s authority to send armed forces outside of Nigeria for limited combat duty due to impending national security threats, was cited by the source to explain the circumstances that led to Tinubu’s intervention in the Benin coup. This provision requires Senate approval within 14 days of actual combat, with the Senate having seven days to approve or deny, ensuring executive power balance with legislative oversight.
The source, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that the Constitution highlights checks and balances on military deployment by emphasizing that the President may act after consulting the National Defense Council but must promptly notify the Senate for ratification.
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