The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a blistering attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over a reported $9 million contract paid to a United States lobbying firm, calling the expenditure “scandalous, indefensible and a clear case of misplaced priorities” at a time when Nigerians are grappling with worsening insecurity and economic hardship.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC National Publicity Secretary, argued that the government’s decision to spend scarce public funds on a foreign lobbying campaign reflects a fundamental disconnect between leadership priorities and the everyday reality for ordinary Nigerians. He said no amount of foreign propaganda can cover up the government’s failure to protect lives and property at home.
The contract, facilitated through Aster Legal and executed via the US-based DCI Group, reportedly involves monthly payments of around $750,000 over a six-month period, with the total commitment potentially reaching $9 million — despite severe economic strain and rising insecurity across much of the country.
Beyond the ADC, other groups have seized on the controversy:
• A prominent pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation criticised the Tinubu administration’s spending as “reckless” and focused more on foreign image laundering than protecting citizens from daily violence and kidnappings. The group also suggested that political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections may be behind the outsourcing of Nigeria’s messaging in Washington.
• Coverage from Africa Confidential and other outlets notes that the lobbying push is partly intended to counter claims of “Christian genocide” and maintain US support, especially under the administration of US President Donald Trump. The government has indicated the effort aims to explain its security strategy — though this in itself has become part of the political debate.
The ADC’s statement and wider commentary from political activists point to several concerns:
• Misplaced Priorities: The opposition argues that millions of Nigerians are struggling with soaring insecurity, unemployment, and cost-of-living pressures — issues that cannot be solved through public relations alone.
• Diplomatic Failures: The party also criticised the government for outsourcing diplomacy at a time when several ambassadorial posts reportedly remain vacant, thus weakening Nigeria’s foreign policy credibility.
• Sectarian Risks: The emphasis on “communicating Christian protection efforts”, according to critics, risks fueling sectarian tensions in an already fractious religious and ethnic landscape.
ADC’s leadership concluded that Nigeria needs leadership, not propaganda, urging the government to redirect resources toward protecting citizens, restoring trust in institutions, and addressing structural crises at home rather than spending on external image campaigns.
Government and other sources say the lobbying campaign is part of a broader strategy to safeguard Nigeria’s interests in Washington, reinforce strategic ties, and counter narratives from separatist movements and foreign critics. However, details about the contract and its outcomes remain politically contested.
This latest controversy unfolds against a backdrop of rising insecurity, economic stress, and intense political debate in Nigeria as the 2027 elections approach — making the $9 million lobbying deal a flashpoint for discussions on governance, national priorities, and diplomatic strategy.
