The PDP criticizes Tinubu’s handling of US airstrikes in Nigeria, accusing the government of weak communication, poor transparency, and overreliance on foreign military action.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized the Bola Tinubu–led Federal Government over what it described as a communication failure surrounding the reported US airstrikes in Nigeria, warning that the handling of such sensitive security matters could erode public trust and national sovereignty.
The opposition party’s reaction followed public statements made on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, by former United States President Donald Trump, who announced that American forces had carried out what he termed “precise and successful” military strikes against terrorist elements operating in northwest Nigeria.
Trump claimed the targeted militants were affiliated with the Islamic State group and were responsible for repeated attacks and killings, particularly of Christians, in violence-prone parts of the country.
According to Trump, the operation was authorized under his command authority and was intended to neutralize extremist fighters who had terrorized communities for years.
He alleged that the scale of killings carried out by the militants was unprecedented and claimed that warnings had previously been issued to the groups before the strikes were executed.
His comments quickly gained global attention and dominated public discourse in Nigeria long before any official domestic response.
Hours after the announcement circulated widely on social media and international news platforms, the Nigerian government confirmed that US airstrikes in Nigeria had indeed taken place.
The confirmation came through a statement issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, acknowledging cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
However, the statement offered little detail on the scope of the operation, the level of Nigerian involvement, or the specific locations affected.
In a press statement released on Friday, December 26, 2025, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP expressed deep concern over the sequence of events that led to the public disclosure of the operation.
The party noted that Nigerians learned of the military action from verified social media accounts of foreign officials rather than from their own government.
The PDP described this approach as an “inverted communication structure,” arguing that it is unacceptable for foreign governments to announce security operations conducted within Nigeria before Nigerian authorities address their own citizens.
According to the party, such a pattern weakens public confidence and fuels speculation, misinformation, and unnecessary anxiety, particularly in regions already grappling with insecurity.
While acknowledging the importance of Nigeria–US security cooperation in the fight against terrorism, the PDP emphasized that collaboration must be guided by transparency, mutual respect, and clear communication.
The party warned that allowing external actors to dominate the narrative around US airstrikes in Nigeria undermines the country’s sovereignty and raises questions about the government’s control over national security decisions.
The opposition party further recalled previous reports suggesting that foreign military forces had, in the past, operated within Nigeria without full public disclosure.
Against this backdrop, the PDP argued that the Federal Government has a responsibility to promptly brief Nigerians whenever such critical operations occur, especially when they involve foreign military assets.
According to the PDP, the Tinubu administration missed an opportunity to lead the conversation, reassure citizens, and clearly outline how the operation aligns with Nigeria’s broader counterterrorism strategy.
Instead, the government appeared to merely confirm information that was already circulating, creating the impression that officials were reacting rather than directing events.
The party stressed that effective governance, particularly in security matters, requires proactive engagement with the public.
Nigerians, it said, deserve timely and accurate information about actions taken in their name and on their soil, especially when those actions have potential diplomatic, humanitarian, and security implications.
In its concluding remarks, the PDP called on the Federal Government to revisit the terms of its defence arrangements with the United States.
The party urged that future agreements prioritize joint operations, intelligence sharing, and capacity building for Nigerian security forces.
Such an approach, it argued, would ensure that Nigeria develops sustainable solutions to insecurity rather than relying heavily on externally driven precision strikes.
The PDP maintained that strengthening local expertise and operational control would better position Nigeria to confront terrorism over the long term.
It added that while foreign support can play a useful role, lasting peace and stability can only be achieved when Nigerian institutions are empowered to take the lead in safeguarding the nation.
