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The African Democratic Congress (ADC), a major opposition party, has accused Bola Tinubu of effectively “taking a back seat” in governance after United States forces conducted airstrikes on Islamic State-linked terrorists camps in Sokoto State on Christmas Day.
In a strongly worded statement and social media post, ADC Spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi described the US military action as evidence of Tinubu’s “historic incompetence” in addressing Nigeria’s longstanding security challenges.
Abdullahi pointed to Tinubu’s Christmas message, in which he tagged US President Donald Trump while pledging to protect religious freedom, as a sign of subservience.
“President Tinubu has outsourced his most important constitutional responsibility, effectively taking a back seat in a vehicle that he is constitutionally assigned to drive,” Abdullahi posted on X.
“When the President of Nigeria appears compelled to report himself to another head of state… Nigerians are entitled to ask who is truly in charge of our country?”
The criticism comes a day after US Africa Command (AFRICOM) carried out precision strikes in northwest Nigeria’s Sokoto State, targeting camps used by terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State Sahel Province, locally known as Lakurawa.
US President Trump announced the operation on social media, claiming it targeted “ISIS Terrorist Scum” responsible for killing “primarily, innocent Christians.”
US officials stated the strikes were conducted “in coordination with Nigerian authorities” and killed multiple militants, with no reported civilian casualties.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry confirmed the action as part of ongoing security cooperation, involving intelligence sharing that led to “precision hits on terrorist targets in the North West.”
However, the ADC argued that relying on foreign forces for direct military operations on Nigerian soil undermines sovereignty and reflects governance failure.
The party demanded full transparency, including details on operational control, the number of terrorists killed, and Nigeria’s exact role—questioning whether the government was reduced to “mere informants.”
While acknowledging the need to combat terrorism, the ADC warned that such external interventions are “not sustainable” and could harm Nigeria’s long-term interests.
It also criticized the US framing of the conflict in religious terms, saying it risks endangering national unity, as violence in the region affects both Muslims and Christians.
Bolaji Abdullahi Blasts Tinubu
Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC Spokesman
The strikes mark a rare direct US military involvement in Nigeria’s internal security operations, amid escalating threats from jihadist groups in the northwest.
Analysts note that Lakurawa militants have gained ground in border areas like Sokoto, exploiting gaps in state presence.
Reactions to Abdullahi’s post were polarized, with some users accusing the ADC of politicizing anti-terror efforts, while others echoed concerns about leadership and sovereignty.
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The Nigerian government has yet to respond directly to the ADC’s allegations, but officials have emphasized that the cooperation strengthens efforts to restore peace without compromising independence.
As insecurity persists across multiple regions, the incident has reignited debates over Tinubu’s handling of national security and Nigeria’s reliance on international partners.
