Lagos APC defends $9m lobbying deal as global best practice

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended the Federal Government’s approval of a $9 million lobbying contract aimed at communicating Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christians and address security concerns to the United States government.

In a statement released on Friday by its spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC described the engagement of international lobbyists as a normal and widely accepted practice in global governance, dismissing criticisms from opposition parties as uninformed and misleading.

The defence follows reports that Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm, retained U.S. lobbying firm DCI Group on behalf of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

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

The lobbying deal has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Labour Party.

They accused the Tinubu administration of prioritising international image management over addressing insecurity, economic hardship and the welfare of Nigerians at home.

ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi described the expenditure as misplaced, arguing that no amount of foreign lobbying could mask what he called the government’s failure to adequately protect lives and property.

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Responding to the criticisms, the Lagos APC said such reactions either reflected a lack of understanding of modern governance or a deliberate attempt to misinform the public.

The party maintained that governments across the world routinely engage lobbying and public affairs firms to advance national interests, strengthen diplomatic and security relationships, attract investment, and counter misinformation.

“Countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa deploy such firms to influence policy, boost trade, secure development assistance and protect strategic assets,” the statement said. “Lobbying is a universal, lawful and widely deployed instrument of statecraft.”

According to the APC, the initiative would enable Nigeria to correct negative portrayals abroad and present a more accurate picture of ongoing reforms, security efforts and governance priorities.

The ruling party also accused opposition figures of historically spending resources to “demarket” Nigeria internationally, noting that past predictions of the country’s collapse had failed to materialise.

“By proactively projecting Nigeria’s reforms, priorities and progress through legitimate global channels, the government has ensured that the true Nigerian story will now be told in truth and indeed from a positive, factual and forward-looking perspective,” the APC stated.

The Lagos APC concluded by urging Nigerians to support the Federal Government’s efforts to defend the country’s interests on the global stage, insisting that strategic international advocacy is essential in an increasingly competitive world order.

The party said engaging global audiences through lawful and professional channels remains critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s diplomatic standing, security cooperation and long-term development goals.