ADC Responds to Trump’s Letter to President Tinubu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) reacted to reports that US President Donald Trump sent a letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that such foreign praise will not shield Tinubu from electoral loss.
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party argued that celebrating a diplomatic note from another country only reveals the administration’s desperation for validation.
The ADC pointed out that the letter ignores Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, noting that hundreds of women and children remain captive in Borno and Kaiama (Kwara State) and that communities in Benue and elsewhere live under constant fear.
The party said the Presidency’s attempt to frame the letter as a national referendum is misguided, emphasizing that diplomatic exchanges are routine and do not equate to an endorsement of domestic performance.
The statement reads: “While we respect the office of the US President, correspondence between heads of state is normal. What stands out is this government’s eagerness to treat any foreign gesture as proof of success at home. A letter from another president cannot replace the verdict of the Nigerian people. The true measure of leadership is what citizens experience daily.”
“For millions of Nigerians still suffering from the government’s shortcomings, Trump’s message changes nothing. It did not declare that insecurity has ended, that safe travel, farming, or peaceful sleep have returned.”
“It is noteworthy that, while the Presidency highlighted the letter, the United States Department of State’s travel advisory for Nigeria remained unchanged, keeping several states at Level 3 and Level 4 warnings due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and other threats.”
“Thus, a communication from a government that designates parts of Nigeria as ‘Do Not Travel’ areas cannot be taken as an endorsement. The advisory itself reminds us that international assessments of Nigeria’s security challenges differ sharply from the picture the Presidency tries to paint.”
“Nigerians’ daily reality is shaped by safety from violent crime and terrorism, not by diplomatic mail. On these core issues, no letter offers relief, and no foreign praise can substitute for genuine protection of the populace.”
“In essence, Trump’s note is merely routine communication between two presidents. It does not constitute an endorsement of this administration’s overall performance, nor does it excuse the government from its duty to address the challenges facing over 200 million Nigerians.”
“The Tinubu administration would be better served focusing less on celebrating overseas courtesies and more on delivering concrete results at home.”
“Ultimately, Nigerians will not judge this government by the letters it receives from foreign capitals. They will judge it by whether it has improved the lives of the people who elected it.”
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