Former presidential candidate and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Ameh has strongly criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over reports that the Federal Government spent about $9 million on a United States-based right-wing-connected lobbying firm, describing the move as a misplaced priority amid Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Ameh reacted in a post on X (formerly Twitter) following reports that the government engaged the foreign lobbyists at a time when communities across the country continue to face deadly attacks by terrorists, bandits, and other criminal groups. According to him, the funds could have been better deployed to address the humanitarian and security crises confronting Nigerians.
“While terrorists slaughter our people, Tinubu spends billions lobbying instead of fixing insecurity. That cash could rebuild communities wrecked by terrorists instead, zero value 4 Nigerians,” Ameh wrote.
The former Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) chairman argued that the government’s actions reflect a disconnect between leadership priorities and the daily realities faced by citizens, particularly those in conflict-ravaged areas of the North and other vulnerable regions.
He stressed that millions of Nigerians have been displaced, livelihoods destroyed, and basic infrastructure wiped out by years of violent attacks.
Ameh further questioned the rationale behind engaging foreign lobby firms when the country is grappling with rising food prices, economic hardship, and persistent security failures. He noted that rebuilding schools, hospitals, and homes destroyed by terrorism would have had a more direct and meaningful impact on affected communities.
