Former Sokoto State governor and current senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has revealed that the reported United States military intervention in Nigeria in December was never presented to the National Assembly for deliberation or approval.
Tambuwal made this disclosure on Monday during an interview on Arise TV, where he criticised what he described as a troubling absence of legislative oversight in matters involving foreign military engagement and national security. According to him, arrangements of such magnitude should not be handled discreetly without the knowledge or input of elected lawmakers.
He stressed that any form of security cooperation between Nigeria and foreign partners must be clearly defined, transparent, and subjected to proper parliamentary scrutiny. Tambuwal also noted that Nigeria’s international military partnerships should not be limited to the United States alone, but must always be guided by established legal and constitutional frameworks.
“As a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I can confidently say these matters were never brought before us,” he said. “If you ask lawmakers today, many of us have no idea how such an intervention came about. At this level of governance, there are certain issues we must be fully informed about.”
Reflecting on the December incident, Tambuwal suggested that earlier comments by the U.S. government, followed by the reported missile strike, appeared to have influenced the stance of the ruling party and the administration in power at the time. He observed that the development seemed to prompt a more decisive and reflective approach to governance and security issues.
“In my view, the statements from President Trump and the subsequent military action had a noticeable impact on the government. It forced the leadership to reassess the situation and take a closer look at unfolding events. You could see a positive shift in how the administration began to think and respond,” he noted.
However, when asked whether he would support similar actions by the United States in the future, Tambuwal made it clear that he does not advocate further military attacks. Instead, he emphasised the importance of diplomacy, political engagement, and open communication grounded in mutual respect and transparency.
“I do not want to see more attacks,” he said. “What we need is a clear, well-structured, and openly defined framework that governs engagements between the Nigerian government and the United States, one that prioritises dialogue over force.”
Tambuwal’s comments have once again brought attention to the need for accountability, transparency, and constitutional adherence in Nigeria’s security and foreign policy decisions.
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