The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over reports that the Federal Government approved a $9 million lobbying contract in the United States, accusing it of prioritising image laundering abroad over pressing security and economic challenges at home.

In a statement posted on Wednesday via X, the party’s spokesperson, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the expenditure as “obscene” and evidence of “misplaced priorities and moral blindness,” especially at a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with rising food prices, fuel costs, and limited access to basic healthcare.

“No government in Africa has ever committed such an obscene sum to a short-term public relations exercise,” the ADC said, while acknowledging the importance of international engagement.

The party argued that spending $9 million on image management amid widespread hardship was unjustifiable.

The ADC further described the move as an admission of diplomatic failure, noting that several key ambassadorial positions remain vacant.

According to the party, relying on foreign lobbyists instead of strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic corps weakens institutional credibility and reduces foreign policy to “transactional propaganda.”

The party called on the Tinubu administration to redirect public resources toward addressing insecurity, economic hardship, and strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic institutions rather than pursuing what it termed an image-repair campaign abroad.