United States Senator Ted Cruz has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using an expensive public relations campaign to deflect concerns over Christian killings in Nigeria and the wider security crisis.
According to Vanguard, Cruz criticised the Federal Government’s reported $9 million contract with DCI Group, a United States-based lobbying and public affairs firm. He argued that Nigerian officials should focus on addressing insecurity rather than attempting to reshape perceptions in Washington.
Nigeria reportedly hired the firm in December, months after US President Donald Trump designated the country as one of particular concern over religious freedom issues. Documents filed with the US Department of Justice showed that Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm, engaged DCI Group on behalf of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The agreement reportedly requires the firm to communicate Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christian communities and respond to security concerns raised by American officials and lawmakers.
Cruz faults Nigeria’s response to US concerns
Cruz, who introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, has repeatedly accused Nigerian officials of failing to protect Christians and other religious minorities.
In a post on X, the senator alleged that government policies and the failure to confront extremist violence had created an environment where attacks could continue.
“Nigerian officials have created an environment that facilitates mass violence against Christians and religious minorities by imposing blasphemy and Sharia laws and looking the other way at jihadist atrocities,” he said.
Cruz maintained that the United States had identified officials connected to the policies and said he would continue pushing for sanctions against them.
“Instead of responding to American concerns, Nigerian officials waged a public relations campaign against critics,” he added.
His comments followed the passage of an amendment by the US House of Representatives. The measure seeks to withhold all American assistance to Nigeria until the country takes effective steps to prevent and respond to violence.
Lawmakers approved the amendment through a voice vote last Wednesday. It would increase the amount of assistance withheld from 50 per cent to 100 per cent.
Other US lawmaker criticises lobbying deals
Cruz is not the only American lawmaker to question Nigeria’s lobbying activities.
Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, said the agreements showed that Nigerian officials continued to deny the scale of the country’s security problems.
In the same month that Nigeria hired DCI Group, Matthew Tonlagha, Vice-Chairman of Tantita Security Services, reportedly engaged Valcour Global Public Strategy in Washington.
The firm was hired to support efforts aimed at strengthening relations between Nigeria and the United States.
Smith argued that such contracts reflected what he described as a persistent culture of denial among Nigerian authorities.
Timi Frank questions Trump letter
Meanwhile, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Timi Frank, accused the Presidency of presenting a reported letter from Trump as an endorsement of Tinubu’s administration.
Frank said the correspondence only recognised security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. He argued that it did not amount to support for Tinubu’s leadership, economic policies or possible re-election bid.
“The letter only commended Nigeria for partnering with the US in addressing insecurity,” he said. “It was not an endorsement of President Tinubu’s leadership, his economic policies or his administration.”
He also challenged the Presidency to publish the original document and provide evidence of its authenticity.
“The letter is not from the White House. If it doesn’t have the White House seal and the signature of the President of the US, it appears dubious at best,” Frank said.
The former APC official questioned why a letter reportedly dated July 6 only entered the public domain weeks later. He argued that the government would have released it immediately if it represented a major political endorsement.
Frank also compared the correspondence with former President Muhammadu Buhari’s White House visit during Trump’s first term. He said direct engagement carried greater diplomatic significance than a reported letter.
Lobbying spending raises credibility questions
Frank further questioned reports that the Federal Government had spent millions of dollars on lobbyists to improve its reputation in the United States.
He argued that a government with strong international credibility would not need to spend heavily on foreign reputation management.
According to him, the publicity surrounding Trump’s reported letter was also an attempt to distract Nigerians from discussions about documents linked to Tinubu’s alleged past drug-related case.
“Credibility and integrity cannot be conferred by a letter, a diplomatic exchange or a public relations campaign,” Frank said.
He added that governments earned trust through transparent leadership, accountability, respect for democratic institutions and service to citizens.
The Presidency had not publicly responded to the latest allegations from Cruz and Frank at the time of the report.
