The engagement by the Federal Government of a lobbying firm with a $9 million contract, facilitated by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has been described as an irresponsible and immortal stunt.
Olufemi Aduwo, President, Center for Convention on Democratic Integrity (CCDI) Inc, Maryland, United States, stated this in a press release, on Thursday.
This was as he called for the resignation of the NSA, noting that his stewardship in the engagement did not show prudence, transparency or moral responsibility.
Aduwo further declared that the participation of Ribadu in the $9 million engagement with the lobbying firm actively undermined both national security and the ethical obligations of his office.
The Federal Government was reported to have engaged a lobbying firm under a $9 million contract to communicate its purported efforts in protecting Christians in Nigeria to the United States Government.
The lobbying firm was contracted to assist in communicating the actions of the government on protecting Christians in Nigeria to the United States Government.
The contract was aimed at persuading the President Donald Trump administration that Nigeria is taking concrete steps to address insecurity, including killings of Christians in the northern region.
According to the lobbying contract document filed with the US Department of Justice, Aster Legal, a law firm based in Kaduna State, retained the services of DCI Group on behalf of Nuhu Ribadu, being the NSA.
Aduwo however condemned Ribadu and the Federal Government, declaring: “I must emphatically state that this process is crude, opaque, and wholly unnecessary.”
He stated that his organisation, CCDI, a registered non-profit organisation in the State of Maryland, was equipped with extensive experience engaging the White House during the President Joe Biden Administration.
“The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) does not require the intermediation of a consultant to hire a registered US lobbying firm.
“Indeed, any foreign principal, including the Nigerian Government, may engage a FARA-registered lobbying firm directly, provided that all regulatory filings are properly submitted to the Department of Justice.
“Sourcing a lobbyist is straightforward: Identify a U.S.-based lobbying or public affairs firm registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
“Engage the firm directly, outlining the scope of work, fees, and deliverables.
“Ensure all contracts and payments are disclosed in accordance with FARA regulations.
“Coordinate internally on messaging and policy objectives; no third-party consultant is legally required for this process,” he stated.
Aduwo went further, asking as a Christian, “what is the objective of this lobbying exercise? Is it to deny reports of Christian genocide when the United States Mission in Nigeria receives daily, first hand information on these killings?”
He noted that such lobbying, at this stage, may not likely sway the posture of President Donald Trump on his stance on the state of insecurity in the country.
“By contrast, were the government to genuinely address the root causes of insecurity in Nigeria, international opinion, including that of the United States, might soften.
“It is therefore highly probable that, absent substantive action, economic sanctions will soon follow, rendering this lavish expenditure an outright waste of public funds,” he declared.
He further averred that countless Nigerians are languishing in IDP camps, deprived of basic necessities, while enormous sums are diverted to lobbying efforts of dubious value and impact.
“It is my firm and unambiguous position that Nuhu Ribadu should tender his resignation immediately.
“His stewardship in this matter reflects neither prudence, transparency nor moral responsibility and it actively undermines both national security and the ethical obligations of his office,” Aduwo added.
