The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticised the opposition for what it termed “orchestrated outrage” and “selective indignation” over the Federal Government’s decision to hire a United States-based lobbying firm.
In a statement signed by the chapter’s spokesman, Seye Oladejo, the party dismissed the criticisms as stemming from either “grave ignorance of modern governance” or a deliberate effort to mislead the public.
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The engagement, reportedly a $9 million contract with Washington-based DCI Group (facilitated through Aster Legal on behalf of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu), aims to communicate Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christian communities, counter misinformation, and sustain US support in tackling jihadist threats in West Africa.
Oladejo emphasised that lobbying is a “universal, lawful, and widely deployed instrument of statecraft.” He pointed out that governments worldwide, from advanced democracies to emerging economies, routinely engage such firms in strategic capitals like Washington to promote national interests, attract investment, correct misinformation, strengthen diplomatic and security cooperation, influence policy, boost trade, and secure development assistance.
“Countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa deploy such firms to… protect strategic assets. Nigeria’s action, therefore, is neither novel nor improper; it is standard global practice,” the statement read.
The Lagos APC argued that the move marks the end of the opposition’s “unrestrained demarketing” of Nigeria internationally.
It accused opposition elements of historically investing resources to portray the country negatively abroad, while expressing disappointment that their “predictions of doom and Armageddon” have consistently failed.
By proactively projecting Nigeria’s reforms, priorities, and progress through legitimate channels, the government ensures the “true Nigerian story” is told positively and factually, rather than through “cynicism, misinformation, and a destructive political agenda”, Oladejo added.
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He attributed the opposition’s discomfort not to genuine concerns over probity, but to Nigeria’s shift towards “confidence over apology, engagement over silence, and leadership over provincial thinking”.
“Strategic international advocacy is not a crime; it is a necessity in a competitive global order,” he declared.
The party urged Nigerians to disregard the “manufactured hysteria” and focus on the broader objective: a Nigeria reclaiming its voice, defending its interests, and asserting its rightful place on the global stage.
