ADC Faults Tinubu Over U.S. Airstrikes in Sokoto, Warns Against Erosion of Nigeria’s Sovereignty
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration following the recent United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) airstrikes carried out in parts of Sokoto State, describing the development as a troubling sign of governance failure and strategic weakness.
The airstrikes, reportedly executed in the early hours of Friday, targeted suspected ISIS-linked terrorist hideouts in northern Nigeria. While Nigerian authorities later confirmed prior awareness of the operation, the opposition party insists the incident raises serious questions about national sovereignty, leadership competence, and the country’s long-term security direction.
ADC Raises Alarm Over Foreign Military Action on Nigerian Soil
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC acknowledged the severity of Nigeria’s security challenges but argued that allowing a foreign military power to conduct direct combat operations within the country reflects a deeper failure of governance.
According to the party, while the protection of lives must remain paramount, such actions should not come at the cost of national autonomy or strategic independence.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) recognises the serious security challenges confronting Nigeria and affirms that the protection of Nigerian lives and the defeat of terrorism must remain a central national priority,” the statement read.
However, the party stressed that foreign military intervention should never become a substitute for a well-coordinated, Nigeria-led security response.
Questions Over Nigeria’s Role in the Operation
The ADC also questioned Nigeria’s operational involvement in the airstrikes, warning against the country being reduced to what it described as a passive participant in its own security affairs.
According to Akahi News, the party expressed concern that Nigeria may have merely supplied intelligence while foreign forces executed the actual operation.
Abdullahi queried why, after years of massive budgetary allocations to defence and security, Nigeria could not independently conduct such an operation if it indeed possessed actionable intelligence.
He further demanded clarity from the federal government on:
- Who exercised operational command during the strikes;
- The number and identities of terrorists neutralised; and
- The extent of Nigeria’s direct involvement in planning and execution.
“Desperation Must Not Replace Strategy” — ADC
While acknowledging that terrorism poses a real and persistent threat, the ADC cautioned against confusing international cooperation with what it termed “strategic surrender.”
“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,” the party said.
The opposition group warned that habitual reliance on foreign military intervention could weaken Nigeria’s institutional capacity, erode sovereignty, and diminish the country’s global standing.
Criticism of Government Communication Strategy
The ADC also faulted the federal government’s communication approach, noting that Nigerians reportedly learned of the airstrikes first through a social media post by the President of the United States rather than an official briefing from their own government.
According to Akahi News, the party described this as a troubling lapse in leadership communication and public accountability.
“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,” Abdullahi said.
Sovereignty, Security, and the Road Ahead
The party further warned against what it described as a gradual erosion of Nigeria’s strategic autonomy, stressing that while partnerships are necessary, they must never replace national responsibility.
“What we see is that President Tinubu has outsourced his most important constitutional responsibility, effectively taking a back seat in a vehicle he is constitutionally assigned to drive,” the statement added.
According to Akahi News, the ADC insists it supports the fight against terrorism but remains deeply concerned about the long-term implications of foreign military involvement for Nigeria’s sovereignty, dignity, and self-respect.
The party urged the federal government to provide clear explanations regarding the operation and to outline a coherent, Nigeria-led security strategy capable of restoring public confidence.
A Call for Strategic Clarity
As debates continue over the AFRICOM operation, analysts believe the incident has reopened long-standing conversations about Nigeria’s security architecture, leadership accountability, and dependence on foreign military assistance.
Observers say the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Tinubu administration can reassure Nigerians of its capacity to protect the nation without compromising sovereignty.
For continued updates and in-depth analysis, stay with Akahi News.
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By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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