The Big Tent Coalition, led by Professor Pat Utomi, has accused Nigeria’s federal government of hypocrisy and incoherent communication following the confirmation of United States airstrikes against ISIS-linked militants in north-west Nigeria, calling for a formal apology to Peter Obi.
In a statement issued on Friday, the coalition criticised the government’s handling of the operation, which involved precision strikes carried out by the Armed Forces of Nigeria in collaboration with the United States against identified ISIS-linked elements in Sokoto State. The operation was confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nearly 24 hours after it took place.
The coalition said the confirmation highlighted a contradiction in the government’s position, recalling that the presidency had publicly attacked Mr Obi only weeks earlier for expressing openness to US military assistance if it would improve Nigeria’s security.
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In November, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, criticised Mr Obi’s remarks, warning that Nigerians would “never forget nor forgive” what he described as support for foreign military intervention.
According to the Big Tent Coalition, the federal government has now endorsed in practice the very course of action for which Mr Obi was condemned.
“The Tinubu administration owes Peter Obi an immediate and unreserved apology,” said Charles Odibo, director of media and communications for the coalition. “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 call for an apology, the coalition raised concerns over what it described as delayed and disorganised official communication on an issue as sensitive as foreign military operations on Nigerian soil.
It noted that US President Donald Trump publicly announced the strikes, while Nigerians were left to rely on fragmented confirmations from different arms of government almost a day later.
Mr Odibo said this raised questions about leadership, transparency and the management of Nigeria’s sovereignty, particularly if, as now acknowledged, the operation was part of structured security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
The coalition urged President Bola Tinubu to direct his spokesperson to apologise to Mr Obi, ensure greater discipline and coherence in official communication on national security matters, and personally brief Nigerians on the scope and rules governing foreign security cooperation.
“The security of Nigeria is too serious for propaganda, knee-jerk attacks and posturing,” the statement said, adding that the country deserved leadership marked by clarity, consistency and honesty.
