The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has stated that the air strikes conducted by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Sokoto State on Friday underscore what it terms the “historic incompetence” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The United States carried out a series of air strikes against ISIS terrorists in Sokoto during the early hours of Friday.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed that the United States informed Nigeria prior to the air strikes.
In a statement, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi expressed the party’s support for lawful efforts to protect Nigerians but attributed the need for foreign military operations to failures in governance.
Abdullahi cautioned that allowing external forces to conduct direct military operations within Nigeria is unsustainable and could jeopardise the country’s long-term strategic interests.
“When the President of Nigeria appears compelled to report himself to another head of state, even tagging a foreign President in a Christmas Day message, Nigerians are entitled to ask who is truly in charge of our country,” he remarked.
He further questioned Nigeria’s role in the operation, warning against reducing the country to “mere informants” in an endeavour it should be leading.
Abdullahi urged the Federal Government to clarify operational control, casualty figures, and specific details regarding the number and identities of terrorists killed in the air strikes.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) acknowledges the serious security challenges facing Nigeria and asserts that the protection of Nigerian lives and the defeat of terrorism must remain a central national priority,” the statement reads.
“We therefore support all lawful and effective measures aimed at saving lives and restoring security.”
He reiterated the party’s opposition to the presence of foreign military forces on Nigerian soil, cautioning that desperation should not compromise national sovereignty.
“It is in this context that we regard the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) air strikes on ‘terrorist locations’ in Sokoto State on Thursday, December 25, 2025, as a desperate measure that must not be allowed to replace Nigeria-led action,” he concluded.