Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has claimed that recent United States military airstrikes on terrorist targets in Sokoto State were carried out without the genuine consent of the Federal Government of Nigeria. He described the action as a serious violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty and a sign of weak leadership.
Sowore made the claims in a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday. His comments come amid growing public debate following reports that the US military launched major airstrikes on terrorist positions in Sokoto State on Christmas night.
The airstrikes were earlier announced by former US President Donald Trump and the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, in separate posts on Thursday night. Both officials said the operation targeted terrorist groups operating in Nigeria’s North West.
Following the announcements, the Nigerian Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that the airstrikes took place. The ministry said the operation was part of security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
However, Sowore rejected the government’s explanation, insisting that Nigeria did not give real approval for the strikes.
In his statement, Sowore said the Federal Government’s claim that it was aware of the operation was not convincing. He argued that the description of the strikes as a joint effort with “international partners” was vague and misleading.
“Although the Nigerian government now claims it was aware and describes the operation as a joint effort with vague ‘international partners,’ it is evident that the strikes were carried out without the genuine authority or informed consent of the weaklings masquerading as government under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Sowore wrote.
He accused the current leadership of failing to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and allowing foreign powers to act freely within the country.
Sowore has been a long-time critic of both past and present governments, often speaking strongly against foreign influence and what he sees as poor governance and lack of accountability.
Concerns Over Civilian Impact
The former AAC presidential candidate also raised concerns about the nature of the airstrikes. He claimed that judging by reports of the strike on a village in Sokoto State, the operation showed little concern for Nigerian lives.
“My position remains unchanged,” he said. “Judging by the nature of the confirmed strike on a village in Sokoto, it is clear that the US President under whose authority this operation occurred neither understands nor genuinely cares about Nigeria or Nigerians.”
While official details of the targets and impact of the airstrikes remain limited, past air operations, both local and foreign, have often raised fears of civilian casualties, especially in rural areas where terrorists operate close to communities.
Human rights groups have repeatedly called for transparency and careful investigation of airstrikes to ensure civilians are protected.
Nigeria’s North West region has faced worsening insecurity over the past several years. States such as Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger have experienced attacks by armed groups involved in banditry, kidnappings, and killings.
Although many of these groups are often described as bandits, security agencies have warned that some have developed links with terrorist organisations, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Sokoto State, which was once considered relatively peaceful, has in recent years witnessed attacks on villages, abductions, and killings. These incidents have increased pressure on the Federal Government to take stronger action to protect lives and property.
The Nigerian military has launched several operations in the region, including air and ground attacks. Despite these efforts, the vast terrain and poor infrastructure have made it difficult to fully defeat armed groups.
In its statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the US airstrikes were carried out under structured security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. The ministry said this cooperation includes intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and support in line with international law and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The government also said the operation was aimed at protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and defending the rights of all Nigerians, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
According to the ministry, terrorism in any form remains a threat to Nigeria’s values and to regional and global peace.
Sowore strongly disagreed with the government’s position, saying the situation showed that Nigeria lacks capable and sovereign leadership.
“It is deeply troubling that Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, lacks the capable and sovereign leadership required to protect its people and its territory,” he wrote.
He added that Nigeria has been reduced to a bystander while its sovereignty is violated under the direction of the US President.
“As a result, the country has been reduced to a bystander while its sovereignty is violated under the direction of US President Donald J. Trump,” Sowore said.
He argued that no country should allow foreign forces to carry out military operations on its soil without full control and accountability.
The issue has sparked renewed debate across Nigeria about foreign military involvement in the country’s security affairs. While some Nigerians believe international support is necessary due to the scale of insecurity, others fear that such involvement undermines national independence.
There are also concerns that foreign military action could make Nigeria a target for global extremist groups or worsen local tensions.
Sowore ended his statement by calling for strong, independent leadership that can protect Nigerians without relying on foreign powers.
“I reiterate: only true, tested, and informed leadership can protect Nigerians—not imperiled, jaundiced neoconservatives operating from Washington, D.C.,” he said.
His statement reflects a wider call by some Nigerians for home-grown solutions to insecurity. Many believe that with better leadership, proper funding, and accountability, Nigeria’s security forces can handle the country’s challenges.