The African Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Labour Party have criticised the Bola Tinubu administration over reports that the Federal Government approved a $9 million contract for lobbying services in the United States, describing it as an attempt to polish Nigeria’s image abroad while citizens continue to grapple with rising insecurity and economic hardship.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the spending demonstrated misplaced priorities, stressing that no amount of paid lobbying could cover up bloodshed or the government’s failure to safeguard lives and property.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, told The PUNCH in an exclusive interview that the Tinubu administration appeared more focused on appearances than governance. He added that no amount of lobbying could obscure the fact that improving citizens’ welfare remained the only sustainable way to enhance Nigeria’s global image.

Similarly, the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Oladipo Johnson, criticised the contract as wasteful, arguing that appointing and posting ambassadors to countries, including the United States, would be a more effective means of ensuring proper communication.

Former United States President Donald Trump had repeatedly claimed that Christians in Nigeria were facing genocide and had even threatened military action.

The Federal Government, however, clarified that while Nigeria faced security challenges, there was no genocide occurring in the country.

Despite the tensions, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), in collaboration with the Tinubu administration, conducted airstrikes on December 25 against terrorists in Sokoto State.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that the Federal Government had engaged a lobbying firm under a $9 million contract to communicate its efforts to protect Christians in Nigeria to the United States government.

Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice indicated that Kaduna-based law firm, Aster Legal, retained the U.S.-based public affairs and lobbying firm, DCI Group, on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The agreement was signed on December 17, 2025, by Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, Managing Partner of Aster Legal, and Justin Peterson, Managing Member of DCI Group.

Reacting, the ADC lamented that no African government had ever spent such an “outrageous” amount on a short-term public relations campaign.

It said, “While the ADC recognises the importance of representing Nigeria’s interests internationally, spending $9 million on image management at a time when millions of Nigerians cannot afford food, fuel or basic healthcare is a clear case of misplaced priorities and moral blindness.

“This decision is also an admission of diplomatic failure. A government that has left key ambassadorial positions vacant now seeks to outsource diplomacy to lobbyists, further weakening Nigeria’s institutional credibility and reducing foreign policy to transactional propaganda.

“More troubling is the illusion that paid lobbying in Washington can erase the reality of mass killings, widespread insecurity and state failure at home. No amount of image laundering can wash away the blood of thousands of Nigerians killed under this administration’s watch. Lobbying to impress foreign leaders cannot substitute for a coherent strategy to end the bloodbath. A President who declares a state of emergency on security and then proceeds on foreign holidays cannot be rescued by public relations firms.

“Equally dangerous is the framing of this lobbying effort as a campaign to communicate Christian protection efforts. This risks deepening sectarian tensions and politicising security in a country already strained by religious and ethnic fault lines. Security failures affect all Nigerians, regardless of faith, and cannot be addressed through selective messaging abroad instead of justice, accountability and effective governance at home.”

The ADC emphasised that Nigeria required leadership, not propaganda.

“Resources should be spent protecting lives, restoring trust in state institutions and rebuilding a country in distress, not polishing the image of a government that has failed its most basic responsibility — the protection of lives and property,” it added.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary warned the Federal Government that addressing real issues rather than optics would ultimately serve it better, noting that lobbyists could offer no real assistance.

Ememobong said, “The perception of a country primarily stems from its citizens. If you want your perception index to improve, you simply treat your citizens well. We have students — advanced students — in the United States who can readily tell Americans what is happening. Their observations, opinions and experiences carry weight and significantly influence international perspectives.

“And we are living in a global community where, through social media, anyone seeking to know what is happening in your country can find out instantly, accurately and widely.

“So, the lobbying contract is just wasted money. It is a conduit pipe; it is going down the drain. It cannot be efficacious and is therefore most condemnable.

“It reiterates what we have been saying — that this government is playing to the gallery, ignoring the real needs of the people and focusing only on appearances. They are more interested in optics than reality. The faster they move to reality, the better it will be for them. Optics will not help them, nor will it convince any serious observer who understands national and global dynamics.”

Also reacting, the NNPP Publicity Secretary argued that with Nigerians grappling with rising inflation, unemployment, insecurity and declining living standards, the government should focus its resources on domestic challenges rather than external public relations campaigns.

Johnson said, “I don’t even know where to begin. It shows the misplaced priorities of this government. In the given economic circumstances, it is in bad taste.

“What the government should be doing is posting ambassadors. If you had a proper full-time ambassador — I’m not sure if they have one now — communication and diplomatic relations would have been easier. President Tinubu has been in government for about three years, and this reflects part of the problem.

“It is sad and unfortunate that in these circumstances, you are paying for lobbyists. There are times when you need lobbyists, and I understand that, but this is not one of such occasions. If security were being handled properly, they would know. They have the CIA, intelligence gathering and information networks. You would not need lobbyists, because they cannot and will not change anything.”

Attempts by our correspondent to reach the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, for a response were unsuccessful, as his telephone number was unreachable as of press time.