The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed what it described as attempts by the Presidency to portray U.S. President Donald Trump’s letter to President Bola Tinubu as an endorsement of his administration, insisting that no diplomatic communication can shield the President from the judgment of Nigerians at the polls.
In a statement issued on July 23 and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party argued that the letter does not reflect the realities facing millions of Nigerians grappling with insecurity, economic hardship and other challenges.
According to the ADC, diplomatic correspondence between world leaders is a routine aspect of international relations and should not be interpreted as validation of the Tinubu administration’s performance. The party maintained that Nigerians would ultimately judge the government by its ability to improve security, the economy and citizens’ welfare rather than by recognition from foreign leaders.
The ADC also noted that the United States’ travel advisory on Nigeria remains unchanged, with parts of the country still under Level 3 and Level 4 warnings due to insecurity, arguing that the advisory contradicts claims that the Trump letter represents an endorsement of the administration.The opposition party urged the Federal Government to focus on addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges instead of celebrating what it described as a routine diplomatic courtesy.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has pushed back against the opposition’s criticism, issuing a strongly worded statement through the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Although the statement specifically targeted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a leading figure in the opposition coalition, the Presidency accused the opposition of attempting to internationalise Nigeria’s domestic politics by petitioning President Donald Trump and members of the U.S. Congress over President Tinubu’s decades-old civil forfeiture case.
The Presidency described the matter as one that had been resolved more than 30 years ago and said it had been politically settled by Tinubu’s electoral victory in 2023 and the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming his election.
Onanuga further alleged that Atiku Abubakar spent $1.2 million on American lobbyists to revive issues that had long been settled, insisting that such efforts would not alter Nigeria’s political realities.
The Presidency maintained that President Tinubu remains focused on implementing his Renewed Hope Agenda, stabilising the economy, attracting investments, improving national security and restoring Nigeria’s global standing, rather than being distracted by what it described as opposition “theatrics.”
The exchange marks the latest escalation in the war of words between the Tinubu administration and the opposition coalition as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.
