Ribadu’s $9 Million Lobbying Stunt Deemed Irresponsible and Immoral.
The Federal Government has reportedly engaged a lobbying firm under a $9 million contract to communicate its purported efforts in protecting Christians in Nigeria to the United States government. According to the lobbying contract document filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, Aster Legal, a law firm based in Kaduna State, retained the services of DCI Group on behalf of Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.
As President of the Center for Convention on Democratic Integrity Inc, a registered non-profit organisation in the State of Maryland with extensive experience engaging the White House during the Biden Administration, I must emphatically state that this process is crude, opaque, and wholly unnecessary. The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) does not require the intermediation of a consultant to hire a registered U.S. 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.
- Advertisement -
As a Christian, one must ask,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? Such lobbying, at this stage, is unlikely to sway the posture of President Trump. 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. Meanwhile, countless Nigerians languish 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.
Olufemi Aduwo
President
Center for Convention on Democratic Integrity Inc
Maryland, United States
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JANUARY 15TH 202
