Our Reporter, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu over Thursday’s airstrike carried out by United States forces in parts of Sokoto State, describing it as evidence of the administration’s failure to effectively tackle terrorism and banditry.
In a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party questioned the nature of Nigeria’s collaboration with the U.S. and the operational framework under which the strike was conducted. The ADC demanded clarity on the role played by Nigerian authorities, the extent of control exercised by local security agencies, and the actual outcome of the operation.
The party asked how many terrorists were neutralised, what intelligence Nigeria provided, and why, despite years of heavy security spending, the country could not lead the operation itself. It also queried what special technology or expertise the U.S. deployed that Nigeria allegedly lacks, and whether similar strikes should be expected in the future.
According to the ADC, the airstrike represents a stark indictment of President Tinubu’s handling of national security, although it said it supports all lawful efforts aimed at protecting Nigerian lives. The party attributed the incident to what it described as governance failure under the current administration and warned that allowing foreign forces to conduct direct military operations in Nigeria is unsustainable and potentially harmful to the country’s long-term strategic interests.
The ADC stressed that Nigeria should not be reduced to a passive role in security operations within its own territory, insisting that collaboration must not amount to what it termed “myopic surrender.” It also criticised the government’s communication strategy, noting that information about the strike first emerged from a social media post by the U.S. President rather than a formal address by Nigeria’s leadership.
The party further expressed concern over what it described as the persistent framing of Nigeria’s security challenges in religious terms by the United States, warning that such narratives could threaten national unity.
While reaffirming its support for decisive action against terrorism, the ADC opposed the physical operation of foreign military forces on Nigerian soil. It said the AFRICOM strike on December 25, 2025, should be seen only as an extraordinary and temporary measure, not a replacement for Nigeria-led security efforts.
The ADC argued that the incident highlights a broader pattern in which the government prioritises revenue matters over critical issues such as security and diplomacy. It warned that outsourcing core constitutional responsibilities undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty, strategic autonomy, and self-respect.
The party concluded that a single airstrike cannot resolve Nigeria’s security crisis and urged the government to clearly outline its strategy going forward, beginning with transparent answers to the questions raised by the operation.
