The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu following airstrikes carried out by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) on suspected ISIS terrorists in Sokoto State, describing the development as evidence of “historic incompetence” in governance.
The United States conducted the airstrikes in the early hours of Friday, targeting terrorist locations in the state. Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, later said the U.S. informed and carried Nigeria along before executing the operation.
Reacting in a statement, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said while the party supports lawful efforts to protect lives and combat terrorism, the involvement of foreign forces in direct military action on Nigerian soil points to deep governance and security failures.
Abdullahi warned that allowing external powers to carry out military operations in Nigeria is not sustainable and could threaten the country’s long-term strategic and sovereign interests. He also questioned Nigeria’s role in the operation, cautioning that the country should not be reduced to “mere informants” in a security exercise it ought to be leading.
The ADC spokesperson called on the federal government to clarify the extent of Nigeria’s operational control in the strikes, as well as provide details on casualties and the number and identities of terrorists killed.
“The African Democratic Congress 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 said. “We therefore support all lawful and effective measures aimed at saving lives and restoring security.”
However, Abdullahi reiterated the party’s opposition to the physical presence and operations of foreign military forces in the country, warning that desperation must not override national sovereignty.
He described the AFRICOM airstrikes on terrorist locations in Sokoto as a stopgap measure that should not replace a Nigeria-led security response.
“This is what happens when a government behaves as though governance is all about revenue collection, while critical issues such as national security and diplomacy are treated as an afterthought,” he added.
