By SUNTV Global Channel | January 14, 2026
A pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over an alleged $9 million lobbying contract with a United States-based Republican firm, accusing the government of prioritising foreign image laundering over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
The group described the move as a clear case of misplaced priorities, insisting that the huge sum reportedly committed to foreign lobbyists should have been channelled into tackling rampant killings, kidnappings and violent attacks ravaging communities across the country.
In a statement signed by its Convener, Olusola Badero, and released through its Home Director, Princess Balogun, the union accused President Tinubu of being more focused on international perception and second-term political calculations than the daily suffering of Nigerians.
According to the group, the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government is allegedly spending taxpayers’ money on foreign propaganda out of fear of possible electoral defeat in 2027, while citizens continue to face insecurity, economic hardship and displacement.
“Instead of addressing the real problems confronting Nigerians, the government is paying foreign individuals millions of dollars to paint a false picture of security,” the statement said.
“Meanwhile, Nigerians are being killed, kidnapped and attacked daily without protection or justice.”
The Yoruba Union further accused the President of pretending that Nigeria is secure, despite what it described as the widespread presence of terrorists and violent criminal groups in almost all the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The group also alleged that while innocent citizens suffer, the APC-led government has granted amnesty to terrorists who have killed, kidnapped and collected ransom from helpless Nigerians.
“For how long will Nigerians live in fear and panic?” the group asked.
“Why waste such huge sums on unnecessary ventures instead of confronting insecurity head-on? At a time Nigerians needed leadership, the President travelled abroad, leaving citizens at the mercy of terrorists.”
Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá said its concerns were heightened following reports published by SaharaReporters, alleging that Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, facilitated the engagement of a U.S. lobbying firm, DCI Group, through a Kaduna-based law firm, Aster Legal.
According to the report cited, the contract was aimed at persuading the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and American lawmakers that Nigeria is taking concrete steps to address insecurity, particularly the killings of Christians in northern Nigeria.
The union referenced filings with the U.S. Department of Justice, which reportedly showed that the Tinubu administration paid DCI Group an initial $4.5 million on December 12, 2025, covering a six-month retainer, with another $4.5 million due by July 2026.
This brings the total contract value to $9 million, or about $750,000 per month, an amount described as one of the most expensive lobbying deals ever signed by an African government.
Questioning the rationale behind the expenditure, the group asked why scarce national resources would be used to appease foreign governments when Nigeria continues to struggle with insecurity, economic decline and governance challenges.
“Why is Tinubu wasting citizens’ resources to impress President Donald Trump when his government has failed to demonstrate the political will needed to crush terrorism and hardship at home?” the union queried.
The group condemned what it called reckless and insensitive spending and urged Nigerians to hold the President accountable for what it described as the squandering of public funds while citizens are killed and kidnapped daily.
Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá also called on the international community, including U.S. authorities, to investigate the alleged lobbying deal.
“Nigerians are dying every day. Schools and hospitals are in ruins. Millions of children are out of school because of insecurity and poverty,” the statement said.
The union argued that the $9 million could have been used to strengthen local security operations, support victims of terrorism, rebuild destroyed communities and improve basic social services.
It concluded by urging the federal government to prioritise the safety, welfare and dignity of Nigerians over foreign image management, warning that continued neglect could deepen public anger and further erode trust in governance.
— SUNTV Global Channel
