Professor Chidi Odinkalu, a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, has characterized President Bola Tinubu’s silence regarding the recent United States missile strikes in Sokoto State as irresponsible.
The airstrikes, which occurred on December 25, targeted ISIS terrorist hideout in the Tangaza Local Government Area. While the ministry of foreign affairs claims the operation was a collaborative effort, President Tinubu did not mention the strikes in his New Year message or in any subsequent national broadcast, despite his role as Commander-in-Chief.
Legal experts and citizens like Professor Chidi Odinkalu, have raised questions regarding the transparency of US-led military interventions and the extent of the responsibility of the Nigerian government.
President Tinubu is peerless as a politician, nobody disputes his political craft, but as commander-in-chief, he is missing in action. That is the biggest problem with his presidency. When that help involves missile strikes on your territory or actions that affect your sovereignty, the first responsibility of the president is to face his people and explain what transpired. That is non-negotiable – Professor Chidi Odinkalu
The Nigerian government’s response has been fragmented. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information indicated that the military was aware of and participated in the operation, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) are yet to provide a briefing. This lack of a unified official narrative has fueled public debate over the Sovereignty of the nation.
They contend that a foreign power firing missiles on Nigerian soil requires the President to provide clarity and reassurance to maintain public confidence and uphold national sovereignty.
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