Trump’s letter won’t save you from defeat, ADC tells Tinubu

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed the significance of the purported letter from United States President Donald Trump to President Bola Tinubu, insisting that no foreign commendation can shield the President from the verdict of Nigerians in the 2027 general elections.

The opposition party argued that celebrating a diplomatic communication from a foreign leader reflects the Tinubu administration’s “desperation for external validation” rather than addressing the country’s deepening security and economic challenges.

BusinessDay reports that Trump has commended President Tinubu for what he described as decisive leadership in combating terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly attacks targeting Christian communities.

The commendation was contained in a letter dated July 6, 2026, to Tinubu. Details of the correspondence were made public on Wednesday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

But, reacting in a statement signed by Bolaji Abdullahi, its National Publicity Secretary, the ADC said the letter does not change the reality of worsening insecurity across the country or the plight of hundreds of women and children still being held captive in Borno and Kaiama in Kwara State.

The party noted that several communities in Benue and other parts of Nigeria continue to live under constant attacks and fear, stressing that such realities cannot be erased by praise from abroad.

“What is apparent is this administration’s desperation to seize upon any gesture of international recognition as proof of success at home. A letter from a foreign president, however well-intentioned, cannot substitute for the verdict of the Nigerian people,” the statement said.

According to the ADC, the true measure of any government lies not in diplomatic exchanges but in the everyday experiences of its citizens.

It argued that for millions of Nigerians grappling with insecurity, hunger and economic hardship, Trump’s communication changes nothing, adding that the letter neither declared insecurity defeated nor guaranteed that Nigerians could travel, farm or sleep without fear.

The party also pointed to the United States Department of State’s travel advisory on Nigeria, noting that despite the Presidency’s celebration of the letter, several parts of the country remain under Level 3 and Level 4 travel advisories over terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and civil unrest.

“It is difficult to regard correspondence from a government that still designates several Nigerian states as ‘Do Not Travel’ areas as an endorsement of this administration’s security record,” the ADC said.

The opposition party maintained that while diplomatic courtesies between presidents are normal, they do not amount to an endorsement of a government’s overall performance or absolve it of its responsibility to protect citizens.

It urged the Tinubu administration to focus less on celebrating international gestures and more on delivering tangible improvements in security, governance and the welfare of Nigerians.

“Ultimately, Nigerians will not judge this government by the letters it receives from foreign capitals. They will judge it by whether it improved the lives of the people it was elected to serve,” the statement added.