Ikechukwu Samuel
United States Senator Ted Cruz has accused the Nigerian government of using foreign lobbying to divert attention from the killing of Christians and worsening insecurity across the country.
Cruz criticised the Federal Government’s decision to hire a United States lobbying firm to present Nigeria’s security efforts to American officials, arguing that the move seeks to reduce international criticism instead of addressing the underlying crisis.
His comments followed Nigeria’s reported $9 million contract with DCI Group, a Washington-based public affairs and lobbying company engaged to represent the country’s security interests in the United States.
According to documents filed with the United States Department of Justice, the contract was executed through Kaduna-based Aster Legal on behalf of the Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Nuhu Ribadu.
The development comes as lawmakers in the United States continue to introduce legislation aimed at compelling Nigeria to tackle insecurity and protect religious freedom.
Cruz, who sponsored the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, renewed his criticism in a statement on X, insisting that Nigerian authorities should address violence rather than invest in public relations campaigns.
He alleged that Nigerian officials had created an environment that enabled violence against Christians and other religious minorities through policies including blasphemy and Sharia laws while failing to prevent attacks by jihadist groups.
Cruz also claimed that instead of responding to international concerns, Nigerian officials launched a public relations campaign aimed at countering criticism.
His comments followed the passage of an amendment by the US House of Representatives seeking to increase the withholding of American assistance to Nigeria from 50 percent to 100 percent until effective action is taken to curb violence.
The measure was approved through a voice vote.
Cruz is not the only American lawmaker to criticise Nigeria’s lobbying activities.
Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, said the lobbying contracts reflected what he described as a continued culture of denial among Nigerian officials.
Separately, former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Timi Frank alleged that the Presidency exaggerated the significance of a reported letter from President Donald Trump.
Frank described the letter as a routine diplomatic communication acknowledging security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States rather than an endorsement of President Tinubu or his administration.
He challenged the Presidency to publish the original document to establish its authenticity.
Frank argued that the correspondence did not indicate support for President Tinubu’s leadership, economic policies or future political ambitions.
He further alleged that public attention surrounding the reported letter was intended to divert focus from discussions relating to court documents connected to President Tinubu’s alleged past drug-related case.
Frank questioned why the reported letter, allegedly dated July 6, only became public weeks later if it represented a significant diplomatic endorsement.
He also argued that former President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the White House during President Trump’s first term carried greater diplomatic significance than a reported letter.
Frank further questioned reports that the Federal Government had spent millions of dollars on lobbying firms in the United States to improve Nigeria’s international image.
According to him, credibility and international respect are earned through transparent leadership, accountability and effective governance rather than public relations campaigns.
