Opposition political parties have criticised the Presidency’s celebration of a reported letter from United States President Donald Trump to President Bola Tinubu, saying the message should not be taken as proof that Nigeria’s security problems have been solved.
The reactions followed the Presidency’s announcement that Trump commended Tinubu’s leadership in the fight against insecurity and disclosed that the United States had deployed Special Operations Forces, including Navy SEAL Team 6, to assist and train Nigerian troops in counter-terrorism efforts.
Several opposition figures said the reported letter does not reflect the security situation across the country. They argued that Nigerians should judge the government based on their daily experiences rather than statements from foreign leaders.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Osa Director, said the government should focus on the conditions facing citizens instead of celebrating international praise.
According to him, insecurity remains a major concern, and many Nigerians still face risks while travelling or carrying out their normal activities. He maintained that any foreign commendation would have little meaning if people continued to experience fear and violence.
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, also raised questions about the reported correspondence. He said he was uncertain whether the letter was genuine and expressed concern over conflicting information surrounding the matter. He added that the United States has its own intelligence network and would be able to assess developments in Nigeria independently.
The National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Major Agbo, said he had seen different reports about the issue and was unsure whether the letter actually existed or whether its contents had been accurately presented. He called on the Presidency to provide a clear explanation so that Nigerians would know the true position.
On the other hand, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said the reported message should be viewed within the narrow area of counter-terrorism and attacks on Christian communities rather than as an assessment of the country’s overall security.
He said insecurity in Nigeria involves different challenges, including banditry in the North-West, attacks in Benue and Plateau, insurgency in the North-East, and violence in parts of the South-East, making it difficult to judge the entire situation based on one aspect alone.
The latest reactions add to earlier criticism from other opposition groups. The African Democratic Congress had described the reported letter as a routine diplomatic communication rather than an endorsement of Tinubu’s administration.
The Allied People’s Movement also argued that the message only acknowledged Nigeria’s efforts against terrorism and did not amount to approval of the government’s overall performance.
Former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, similarly said the correspondence should not be interpreted as political backing for the President.
Despite the criticism, the Presidency has continued to defend its position, maintaining that the reported letter reflects stronger cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in the fight against terrorism, especially through American military support and training for Nigerian security forces.