The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has urged United States President Donald Trump and his administration to ignore what he described as politically motivated lobbying over historical US law enforcement records relating to President Bola Tinubu.
Agbese also warned opposition politicians against, in his words, damaging Nigeria’s international image in their bid to gain political advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Benue lawmaker spoke to journalists in Abuja on Thursday while reacting to recent lobbying activities in Washington aimed at drawing the attention of officials in the Trump administration and members of the US Congress to allegations concerning Tinubu.
Agbese said political disagreements should not be pursued at the expense of Nigeria’s reputation or the well-being of citizens living, working and doing business outside the country.
He said, “This has gone beyond politics. When desperate politicians begin to export their political battles and package Nigeria as a country whose leadership is allegedly built around criminality, they are not hurting President Tinubu alone.
“They are damaging the image of every Nigerian who travels, studies, works, does business or seeks opportunities abroad.”
The Labour Party chieftain consequently urged Trump and his administration to scrutinise the motives and credibility of individuals and groups presenting themselves as advocates for Nigeria before acting on information supplied through political lobbying.
“We call on President Trump and his administration to ignore elements whose new responsibility appears to be blackmailing the Federal Government of Nigeria and, by extension, the Nigerian people who are earnestly earning a living abroad.
“America and Nigeria have a relationship that is far bigger than the ambitions of desperate politicians. That relationship should be built around security, trade, investment, development and the mutual interests of both countries, not opposition-sponsored campaigns designed to influence Washington against Nigeria,” he said.
Continuing, Agbese said opposition politicians were entitled to criticise the Federal Government and challenge the policies of the Tinubu administration, but insisted that foreign governments and institutions should not be used to settle domestic political disputes.
The deputy spokesman further warned the Federal Government not to let itself be distracted by what he described as politically motivated attempts to create international controversy around the President as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
