Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the Federal Government for what it describes as a faulty communication strategy and leadership failure after recent U.S. military airstrikes targeting extremist groups in northwest Nigeria were first disclosed by foreign sources — including U.S. officials — before Nigeria’s authorities provided official confirmation.
In a statement issued Friday by Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the opposition party, the PDP said Nigerians first learned of the operation through verified social media posts by former U.S. President Donald Trump and other American officials, hours before any substantive communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or other Nigerian government channels.
While acknowledging the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism, the party expressed deep concern that foreign powers effectively set the narrative on security operations conducted within Nigeria — a situation it called “inverted” and detrimental to national sovereignty, public trust, and effective information management.
“We are deeply concerned about a communication structure where foreign powers break the news of security operations in our country before our government does,” the PDP statement said. The opposition argued that such sequences of disclosure do not serve Nigerians well and can create confusion, undermine confidence in the Federal Government, and leave citizens feeling uninformed about critical actions affecting their safety.
The PDP also referenced past reports suggesting that the U.S. military had previously conducted operations in Nigeria’s territory without clear prior knowledge or approval from Nigerian authorities, noting that this historical context made the recent communication lapse even more troubling. It warned that reactive and belated communication by the government can fuel perceptions that it was “taken unawares” like ordinary citizens.
According to the party, the Federal Government should have led with transparent, timely and authoritative communication regarding the strikes to properly inform and sensitise the Nigerian populace, rather than simply affirming cooperation after the operation was already public knowledge.
In addition to concerns about messaging, the PDP urged the government to ensure that existing defence agreements with the United States prioritise truly joint operations, including intelligence sharing and capacity building, rather than actions perceived as externally led “precision attacks.” Such an approach, the party argued, would better serve Nigeria’s long-term capacity to address insecurity sustainably.
The Federal Government had earlier confirmed — through a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — that Nigeria remained engaged in “structured security cooperation” with international partners, including the U.S., in addressing terrorism and violent extremism, emphasising respect for sovereignty and international law.
As debates continue around the implications of foreign military involvement and how best to fight terrorism while safeguarding national integrity and effective communication, the PDP’s position underscores broader anxieties about sovereignty, transparency, and government accountability — concerns that may shape discourse on security policy and international cooperation in the weeks ahead.
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