 has launched a scathing criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the December 25 U.S.){kind=link}
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a scathing criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the December 25 U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) airstrikes in Sokoto State, describing the operation as a damning reflection of what it called the administration’s failure to manage Nigeria’s security crisis.
In a strongly worded statement on Friday, the opposition party said although it supports lawful measures aimed at protecting Nigerian lives and dismantling terrorist networks, the conduct of a foreign military strike on Nigerian soil exposes deep governance and leadership deficiencies.
According to the ADC, the airstrikes should not be celebrated as a diplomatic or military success but rather seen as evidence of “historic incompetence” under the Tinubu administration.
The party argued that a functional government would not allow internal security challenges to escalate to the point where foreign forces carry out direct combat operations within its territory.
Moreover, the party cautioned that permitting external militaries to conduct strikes in Nigeria is neither sustainable nor strategically sound, warning that such actions could undermine the country’s sovereignty and long-term national interests.
The ADC also challenged the federal government’s description of the operation as a collaboration, insisting that Nigeria appeared to play only a peripheral role.
It argued that merely supplying intelligence does not amount to leadership in a counterterrorism operation that should have been Nigeria-led.
“The government’s own narrative suggests Nigeria acted more as an informant than a commander,” the party said, adding that this posture reflects a troubling abdication of constitutional responsibility.
Furthermore, the party expressed concern over how Nigerians were informed about the airstrikes.
It noted that initial information emerged from a social media post by the U.S. President, while domestic confirmation came through a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rather than a direct address by President Tinubu.
The ADC described this communication approach as alarming, stressing that an incident of such gravity required direct presidential engagement with the nation.
Additionally, the party criticised what it described as the continued framing of Nigeria’s security challenges in religious terms by the United States, warning that such narratives could deepen divisions and threaten national unity if not firmly addressed by Nigerian authorities.
Consequently, the ADC demanded full disclosure from the federal government on the Sokoto airstrikes. It called for clarity on the rules of engagement, Nigeria’s level of operational control, and the concrete outcomes of the mission.
“How many terrorists were actually neutralised, and who were they?” the party asked. It also questioned why Nigeria, despite spending trillions of naira on security over the years, was unable to lead the operation if it possessed actionable intelligence.
The party further sought explanations on whether the strike required capabilities Nigeria lacks and whether Nigerians should expect more foreign-led military actions in the future.
Warning against confusing strategic cooperation with what it termed “myopic surrender,” the ADC said outsourcing core security responsibilities risks eroding Nigeria’s sovereignty. It argued that national defence remains the most critical constitutional duty of the President.
Nevertheless, the party reaffirmed its support for the fight against terrorism and said it would back any sincere effort to restore peace and security.
However, it maintained that the long-term implications of the Sokoto airstrikes for Nigeria’s strategic autonomy and self-respect must be openly addressed.
The statement was signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.