The African Democratic Congress (ADC) described the airstrikes in Sokoto State as a highlight of what it called President Tinubu’s incompetence.
While welcoming all lawful efforts to protect the lives of Nigerians, the party questioned Nigeria’s actual role in the collaboration, insisting that Nigeria should not be “mere informants” in an operation that it should be leading.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party cautioned against confusing “collaboration” with what it called “myopic surrender,” and expressed concern over the government’s handling of the information surrounding the operation and the persistent framing of the war against terror in religious terms by the U.S., which it said ultimately endangers Nigeria’s national unity.
ADC said it recognised the serious security challenges confronting Nigeria and affirmed that the protection of Nigerian lives and the defeat of terrorism must remain a central national priority, but added, ”We therefore support all lawful and effective measures aimed at saving lives and restoring security.
”Nevertheless, the ADC reiterates its long-standing opposition to the physical operation of foreign military forces on Nigerian soil. We must not allow our desperation today to compromise the sovereignty of our country in whatever form or guise.
”It is in this context that we accept the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) airstrikes on “terrorist locations” in Sokoto State on Thursday, December 25, 2025, only as a desperate measure that must not be allowed to substitute for a Nigeria-led action against its domestic security challenges.
”As an anomaly, the action can only be justified in the context of the historic incompetence of the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in dealing with the nation’s security challenges. This is what happens when a government behaves as though governance is all about revenue collection and all other issues, including national security and diplomacy, could be treated as an afterthought.”
For its part, the PDP in its reaction, urged the federal government to always communicate effectively.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the opposition party stated:
“Nigerians were notified of the American strike on terrorists’ assets through the verified social media pages of President Trump and other American officials before the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a vague statement many hours later, offering a passive confirmation of the knowledge and cooperation of the Nigerian Government in the operation.
”While international cooperation in the fight against high crimes like terrorism is very much appreciated, the PDP is deeply concerned about a communication structure where foreign powers break the news of security operations in our country before our government does.”
According to the spokesman, ”This inverted communication approach does not help the Federal Government or Nigerians in any way, especially when taken against the background that the US military has been reported to have previously entered and operated in Nigeria successfully without the permission and knowledge of the government.
”The federal government should have been the first to report the news in order to properly sensitize the Nigerian populace, instead of waiting to confirm news already in public circulation, unless they were taken unawares like the rest of the citizens.”
Chuks Okocha, Deji Elumoye, Olawale Ajimotokan, Linus Aleke, Sunday Ehigiator, Onuminya Innocent and Fidelis David
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