The Big Tent Coalition, led by Professor Pat Utomi, has sharply criticized the Nigerian Federal Government for what it describes as a display of hypocrisy and poor coordination in its handling of recent U.S.-led airstrikes against ISIS-linked militants in Sokoto State.
In a statement issued by Charles Odibo, the coalition’s Director of Media and Communication, the group condemned the government’s delayed and inconsistent communication following the joint military operation with the United States. The airstrikes, which occurred on Thursday night, were only officially acknowledged by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs nearly a full day later.
The coalition pointed to a glaring contradiction in the government’s stance. Just weeks earlier, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga had publicly criticized Labour Party’s Peter Obi for suggesting that U.S. military assistance could help improve Nigeria’s security. Onanuga had claimed that Nigerians would “never forget nor forgive” Obi for allegedly endorsing foreign intervention.
Now, the same administration has confirmed foreign military involvement on Nigerian soil. The coalition argues that this reversal not only undermines the government’s credibility but also highlights a lack of strategic clarity in national security communication.
“The Tinubu administration owes Peter Obi an immediate and unreserved apology,” Odibo said. “You cannot vilify a prominent citizen for expressing a conditional policy opinion, only to turn around and implement that very option in practice.”
Beyond the perceived double standard, the coalition expressed concern over the government’s failure to promptly and transparently inform the public about the airstrikes. While U.S. President Donald Trump personally announced the operation, Nigerians were left to rely on fragmented updates from various officials.
Odibo questioned why the Presidency remained silent despite admitting to “structured security cooperation” with the U.S., and why conflicting narratives were allowed to circulate. He emphasized that national security should not be reduced to political point-scoring or reactive messaging.
The Big Tent Coalition is now calling on President Bola Tinubu to take three key steps: instruct his spokesperson to issue a formal apology to Peter Obi, enforce discipline and consistency in government communication on security matters, and personally address the nation on the terms and scope of foreign military cooperation.
The coalition concluded by urging the government to lead with clarity, not confusion, and to prioritize transparency and strategic coherence in matters of national importance.
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