The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed the Presidency’s celebration of a purported letter from United States President Donald Trump to President Bola Tinubu, insisting that diplomatic correspondence from a foreign leader will not determine the outcome of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party argued that routine exchanges between world leaders should not be presented as endorsements of the Tinubu administration’s performance.
The ADC accused the administration of seeking “foreign validation” at a time when many Nigerians continue to grapple with insecurity, economic hardship and declining living standards.
According to the party, any communication from President Trump neither changes the realities confronting Nigerians nor serves as a substitute for the judgment of the electorate.
“A letter from a foreign president, however well-intentioned, cannot substitute for the verdict of the Nigerian people,” the party said, adding that Nigerians would ultimately assess the government based on its record in office rather than diplomatic exchanges with foreign leaders.
The opposition party also described the Presidency’s excitement over the reported correspondence as misplaced, arguing that it does little to address the country’s security challenges. It noted that many communities across Nigeria continue to contend with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent attacks despite ongoing government efforts to improve security.
The ADC further pointed to what it described as a contradiction between the Presidency’s celebration of the letter and the United States government’s current travel advisory for Nigeria.
It observed that while the Presidency portrayed the correspondence as evidence of international confidence in the Tinubu administration, the U.S. Department of State continues to maintain Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) and Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”) advisories for parts of Nigeria, citing concerns over terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and civil unrest. The party argued that the advisory underscores the gap between diplomatic courtesies and international assessments of Nigeria’s security situation.
The statement comes after the Presidency released the text of a letter it said was sent by President Trump, in which the U.S. leader commended President Tinubu’s efforts to combat violence and reaffirmed security cooperation between both countries. Reuters reported that the letter reflected improved relations between Abuja and Washington following the establishment of a joint U.S.-Nigeria security working group.
The ADC maintained that the administration should focus on delivering measurable improvements in security, the economy and the welfare of Nigerians, arguing that these issues not international correspondence will shape voters’ decisions in the 2027 general election.
