Tinubu’s FBI Report Campaign Targeted At Our Collective Image Abroad — Reps Deputy Spokesperson

Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has criticised the campaign by opposition figures around the alleged United States government documents concerning President Bola Tinubu, describing it as an attempt to damage Nigeria’s collective image abroad.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the lawmaker said political disagreements should not be pursued at the expense of the reputation and wellbeing of Nigerians living, working and doing business outside the country.

Agbese said the circulation of old documents and unproven allegations in foreign political circles could create consequences far beyond the individuals being targeted, particularly for Nigerians whose livelihoods and opportunities depend on how the country is perceived internationally.

“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,” he said.

The Labour Party lawmaker said opposition politicians had a right to criticise the administration and challenge its policies, but should not turn foreign governments and institutions into instruments for settling domestic political disputes.

“Political competition is legitimate, but there must be a line that every responsible politician must refuse to cross. You cannot spend your time telling the world that your own country is being led by criminals simply because you want to defeat the person in power.

“At some point, you must ask what happens to the Nigerian student seeking admission, the entrepreneur looking for an international partner, the professional applying for a job and the millions of Nigerians whose identity is tied to this country,” he said.

Agbese said the Federal Government should not be distracted by what he described as politically motivated attempts to create an international scandal around the President ahead of the 2027 elections.

“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.