…it’s a breach of our souverignty, UN Charter – Sen Ningi
Senate President Godswill Akpabio says lawmakers will receive a closed-door briefing on the United States air strike on terrorist hideouts in Sokoto state.
In December 2025, the United States launched a fusillade of air strikes on ISIS terrorists in the north-western state.
Akpabio spoke on Wednesday during plenary after Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, raised a matter of privilege over the operation.
Ningi warned that any foreign military strike carried out on Nigerian territory without due constitutional process would amount to a breach of Nigeria’s sovereignty and the authority of the national assembly.
He said the issue required immediate attention, noting that legislative powers are vested in the national assembly under the 1999 constitution.
The legislator added that the legislature is empowered to make laws for the “peace, order, and good government of the federation”.
Ningi described the strike as “a complete violation” of the Nigerian constitution and a “complete breach of the United Nations Charter”.
He said only the president, as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, is constitutionally empowered to authorise military action within Nigeria.
“Even the president himself cannot and shall not under this constitution ask a foreign power from any part of the country to hit into Nigeria,” he said.
Ningi said foreign forces could only operate in alignment with Nigerian troops, who must retain operational control.
Responding, Akpabio cautioned against debating the issue in open session, noting that Ningi raised a matter of privilege rather than a motion for general debate.
“I don’t want anybody to contribute, and you have gone ahead to argue your issue. You are debating your issue; no contribution is required,” he said.
Akpabio said the matter involved sensitive security concerns that should not be discussed publicly.
“Because it’s a matter of security, we really should not discuss it in the open. We should have a closed-door session so that we will be well briefed,” he said.
