The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's government for reportedly approving a $9 million lobbying contract with a firm in the United States, accusing it of focusing on image laundering overseas while millions of Nigerians face severe economic hardship and insecurity at home.
In a statement released on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and shared via X (formerly Twitter), the party's spokesperson, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the expenditure as "obscene" and a clear demonstration of "misplaced priorities and moral blindness."
The ADC highlighted that this massive sum is being spent on a short-term public relations exercise at a time when ordinary citizens are struggling with skyrocketing food prices, escalating fuel costs, and severely limited access to basic healthcare.
Key points from the ADC's statement include:
This criticism comes amid broader public debates about government spending priorities, with opposition voices increasingly questioning expenditures perceived as benefiting external image over citizens' welfare.Neither the Presidency nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an official response to the ADC's allegations at the time of this report. The exact details of the US-based lobbying firm and the specific objectives of the contract remain under scrutiny in media reports.
In a statement released on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and shared via X (formerly Twitter), the party's spokesperson, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the expenditure as "obscene" and a clear demonstration of "misplaced priorities and moral blindness."
The ADC highlighted that this massive sum is being spent on a short-term public relations exercise at a time when ordinary citizens are struggling with skyrocketing food prices, escalating fuel costs, and severely limited access to basic healthcare.
Key points from the ADC's statement include:
- While acknowledging the value of engaging internationally to represent Nigeria's interests, the party argued that committing such a large amount to image management amid widespread suffering is completely unjustifiable.
- The move was labeled an admission of diplomatic failure, especially with several critical ambassadorial positions remaining vacant.
- Relying on foreign lobbyists rather than bolstering Nigeria's own diplomatic corps was said to undermine institutional credibility and turn foreign policy into mere "transactional propaganda."
- The party stressed: “No government in Africa has ever committed such an obscene sum to a short-term public relations exercise.”
This criticism comes amid broader public debates about government spending priorities, with opposition voices increasingly questioning expenditures perceived as benefiting external image over citizens' welfare.Neither the Presidency nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an official response to the ADC's allegations at the time of this report. The exact details of the US-based lobbying firm and the specific objectives of the contract remain under scrutiny in media reports.
Tags
Politics