AfriqueCAN
NIGERIA Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to the Republic of Benin in support of efforts to restore peace and stability in the country.
The approval on Tuesday follows last weekend’s attempted coup in the West African nation.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio made this known during plenary after lawmakers considered the request in the Committee of the Whole in line with section 5, Part 11.
The Senators unanimously voted in favour of the deployment, giving legislative backing for the regional security intervention.
“An injury to one is an injury to all,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President described the decision as a step in the right direction, noting that instability in any neighboring state poses a threat to the entire region.
the lawmaker said, underscoring Nigeria’s responsibility to support its Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, partner.
Earlier, President Bola Tinubu had written to the Senate, requesting consent for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Benin Republic.
In his letter to the lawmakers, Tinubu noted that Nigeria bears a historic responsibility to assist Benin under existing ECOWAS security arrangements.
He emphasized the need for external intervention in the Benin Republic, noting that the move would prevent further deterioration.