The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has launched a scathing attack on the Federal Government over a reported $9 million public relations and lobbying contract with a United States-based firm. The party labeled the arrangement as defective, deceptive, and a national embarrassment.
Contract Details and PDP's Core Objections
In a statement released on 14 January 2026, the PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, revealed that the contract was reportedly facilitated through Aster Legal and awarded to the DCI Group. The deal, designed to last for six months with an automatic renewal clause, aimed to assist the government in communicating actions to protect Nigerian Christian communities abroad.
Ememobong expressed profound concern that an administration with a fully operational Ministry of Information and numerous media aides would outsource its image management to a foreign entity. He argued this move indicates a glaring lack of confidence in the nation's own information machinery, which is led by professionals he described as seasoned.
A Question of Capacity and Priority
"The revelation is as disturbing as it is shameful," the PDP spokesman stated. He praised the Ministry of Information for demonstrating maturity and responsibility in recent years, making the external contract even more puzzling.
The opposition party has demanded immediate clarification from the Presidency on several critical issues:
- Whether the $9 million contract was included in the 2025 national budget.
- Why the deal was executed through a private law firm instead of the Federal Ministry of Justice.
- The specific roles of Information and PR officers in Nigerian diplomatic missions if such contracts are needed.
- The key performance indicators set for the lucrative contract.
Security, Not Spin, is the Real Solution
Ememobong contended that no foreign lobbying firm could ever substitute for the authentic lived experiences of Nigerians, especially in today's world of instant global information flow. He insisted that if the administration is genuinely interested in improving Nigeria's international image, it must first address the nation's worsening insecurity.
"The undeniable truth is that Nigerians have not felt this insecure, even during the civil war," he asserted. The PDP spokesman called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the safety of all citizens, guarantee freedom of worship, and drastically reduce incidents of mass killings.
The party concluded that authentic improvements in security would naturally and positively shape global perceptions of Nigeria. They urged the President to move away from a perceived appetite for "easy public validation through ephemeral optics" and instead dedicate resources and focus to providing sustainable solutions to the nation's foremost challenge.
