ABUJA—President Bola Tinubu has up to 14 days to secure Senate approval for deploying Nigerian troops abroad in combat operations, according to a Senate source.
The clarification came amid claims suggesting that the President must seek legislative approval within 24 hours of troop deployment. The statement coincides with the release of two senior Beninese army officers who were briefly held hostage by coup plotters.
The Presidency described Nigeria’s rapid response as a demonstration of Tinubu’s leadership in upholding peace and constitutional order across West Africa. However, the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) criticized the government, arguing that its swift intervention in Benin contrasted sharply with its slow response to domestic insecurity.
Legal basis for intervention
Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, praised Tinubu for his prompt action in aiding Benin. According to a Senate insider, Section 5(5) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution grants the President authority to deploy armed forces abroad for limited combat when national security is threatened, provided Senate consent is sought within 14 days of deployment. The Senate then has seven days to approve or reject the action, ensuring oversight and balance between executive and legislative powers.
In simple terms, the Constitution allows the President to act swiftly in national emergencies, but requires rapid consultation with the Senate for formal ratification.
Benin coup attempt foiled
The attempted coup in Benin was orchestrated by soldiers under the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri. They temporarily seized the state television station in Cotonou, announcing the overthrow of President Patrice Talon. Loyalist forces, aided by Nigerian troops and fighter jets, quickly regained control.
Two senior officers, Chief of Army Staff Abou Issa and Colonel Faizou Gomina, were released near Benin’s National Guard. The number of plotters involved remains unclear, though military sources confirmed about a dozen arrests. Cotonou witnessed road closures and military tank deployments in the capital as ECOWAS mobilized troops from Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone to assist in restoring order.
Presidency lauds Tinubu’s leadership
The Presidency highlighted Nigeria’s swift action as a sign of Tinubu’s commitment to regional stability. Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, said the response demonstrated Nigeria’s firm support for democratic governance and constitutional order, aligning with ECOWAS’ zero-tolerance stance toward coups.
Olusegun added that the intervention reinforced Nigeria’s role as a stabilizing force in West Africa, emphasizing the importance of principled leadership to safeguard democratic transitions.
Opposition questions government priorities
The ADC, while acknowledging Nigeria’s quick action in Benin, criticized the Federal Government for its slow response to domestic security challenges. National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi noted that swift foreign interventions contrast sharply with the government’s inability to curb banditry and terrorism at home.
The party emphasized that the Constitution mandates Senate approval for military deployments abroad, raising questions about the consistency of Nigeria’s foreign policy and the government’s priorities in protecting its citizens.
Senate deputy praises Tinubu
Senator Barau Jibrin reiterated support for Tinubu’s intervention, emphasizing that democracy remains the best governance system for West Africa. In a statement, he described military rule as outdated and stressed the importance of collective efforts to promote, defend, and strengthen democratic governance.
Through ECOWAS Parliament, he said, member states continue to foster regional integration, legislative cooperation, and shared prosperity, underscoring Nigeria’s role in maintaining stability across West Africa.
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