The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has publicly responded to the recent United States military action on Nigerian soil, issuing a strong critique of the Bola Tinubu-led federal government's handling of the incident. The opposition party's statement, released on Friday, December 26, 2025, outlines four critical observations concerning the airstrike against terrorist targets in Sokoto state, which was announced by former US President Donald Trump.
PDP's Four Key Observations on the Security Operation
In a press briefing addressed by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP highlighted a significant failure in official communication. The party pointed out that Nigerians first learned of the military operation through social media posts by Donald Trump and other US officials, hours before any official confirmation from Nigerian authorities.
"Nigerians found out about the US military strike through social media posts by President Trump and other US officials hours before any statement from our government," Ememobong stated. "This shows poor coordination and does not help Nigerians."
The PDP argued that this sequence of events undermines public trust and can fuel unnecessary panic and confusion among the citizenry during sensitive security operations.
Call for Proactive Government Communication and Sovereignty
A core part of the PDP's critique centers on national sovereignty and the imperative for the federal government to lead in informing its citizens. The party urged the Tinubu administration to always be the first source of information regarding security matters within Nigeria's borders.
"The Federal Government should be the first to inform Nigerians of any security operations like this to sensitise the public and avoid fear," the party's statement read. They emphasized that timely and accurate communication from the government is essential for maintaining public confidence and ensuring calm.
Furthermore, the PDP raised alarms over historical precedents, noting past instances where US forces were reported to have operated in Nigeria without the prior knowledge or explicit permission of the Nigerian government. The party described such actions as counterproductive to both national sovereignty and effective security coordination.
Advocacy for Sustainable Joint Operations Over External Strikes
While acknowledging the importance of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, the PDP's statement drew a clear distinction between externally-led precision attacks and collaborative efforts. The party called for a strategic shift towards joint operations that prioritize capacity building and knowledge transfer.
"We urge the Federal Government to ensure that defence agreements with the US include joint operations that foster learning and help Nigeria sustainably combat insecurity," Ememobong advocated.
The PDP concluded that a well-coordinated, transparent, and sovereignty-respecting approach is non-negotiable for safeguarding citizens and maintaining trust in state institutions. "While we appreciate international support, Nigerians deserve to hear critical security information first from their own government," the statement firmly emphasized.
The party's intervention comes amid reported divisions within the United States Congress over President Trump's claim of unilateral authority to order such strikes, highlighting the international political dimensions of the event.
