President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has spent $2.7 million hiring U.S.-based lobbyists in a bid to salvage his image, following allegations of drug trafficking and certificate forgery that have marred his reputation. According to documents and sources accessed by Peoples Gazette, the president is attempting to rebuild his credibility with U.S. lawmakers and policymakers to improve Nigeria’s standing on the global stage.
Peoples Gazette reports that David Spaulding of Lenape Legal, based in Philadelphia, is one of the key public relations experts engaged by the Nigerian leader. Spaulding’s firm began work in April 2024, just months after controversies over Tinubu’s alleged involvement in a narcotics case and discrepancies in his academic credentials shook Nigeria and drew international attention.
A senior official in the justice ministry, who spoke under anonymity, said Tinubu hired the lobbyists after realizing how deeply these scandals impacted his ability to lead effectively. “The president feels that the bad stories are impeding his ability to govern,” the official stated. “Some of us know they look down on him like a pariah, which is unfair.”
The official added that while Tinubu has attended high-profile summits in France, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, his reputation has limited his ability to gain meaningful international concessions. “You can see the president taking pictures with world leaders, but no one answers his calls to discuss social and economic issues affecting Nigeria,” the official lamented.
Tinubu’s troubles date back to his alleged involvement in narcotics trafficking in the 1990s, when he forfeited $460,000 to U.S. authorities. The allegations resurfaced in November 2022, when *Peoples Gazette* published court documents from the U.S. District Court in Chicago. The release coincided with a documentary by journalist David Hundeyin, which highlighted Tinubu’s alleged connections to drug trafficking networks.
Adding to the controversy was the president’s struggle to validate his academic credentials from Chicago State University (CSU). After attempts to block the release of his records, a federal judge ordered the university to provide documentation, which revealed inconsistencies in Tinubu’s claims. Despite these issues, Nigeria’s Supreme Court upheld his election victory, dismissing allegations that he presented false documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Tinubu’s scandals gained traction after opposition leader Atiku Abubakar leveraged the allegations during the 2023 elections. The opposition amplified the controversies, with Abubakar’s legal team presenting detailed evidence during election petitions. Although Tinubu denies the allegations, his reputation continues to suffer.
A PR contractor involved in the $2.7 million deal told *Peoples Gazette* that the president felt compelled to act. “The president didn’t have to do this if not for the campaign of calumny coming from the likes of Atiku and Hundeyin and the Nigerian media,” the contractor explained. “But his desire to remove obstacles and work for the Nigerian people was too strong.”
Lenape Legal’s involvement is part of a broader campaign that includes other firms such as Global Strategy, an online reputation management company reportedly paid $410,000 annually for two years. Spaulding’s firm receives $130,000 per year, with additional payments for executive assistants. The total expenditure, according to officials, could exceed $2.7 million, although it remains unclear whether Tinubu funded the campaign personally or through public resources.
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While previous administrations, such as Goodluck Jonathan’s, also hired U.S. lobbyists, critics argue that Tinubu’s actions contradict his party’s earlier stance. The All Progressives Congress (APC) had previously mocked the use of foreign lobbyists during Jonathan’s tenure. Ironically, Tinubu’s ally, Lai Mohammed, now works as a lobbyist with Ballard Partners, a U.S. firm.
The scandals have had broader consequences for Nigeria’s image. The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project recently ranked Tinubu among the world’s most corrupt leaders, a designation that drew sharp criticism from his allies, who accused international organizations of bias.
Despite the backlash, some administration officials defend Tinubu’s actions. “The president can procure the services of experts to carry out assignments that will benefit Nigeria as a whole,” said a presidential aide, who requested anonymity.
Tinubu’s reputation problems have reportedly affected Nigeria’s diplomatic relations. His September 2023 visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ended in embarrassment when Emirati officials rejected key agreements he claimed to have finalized. Critics also point to Tinubu’s cabinet appointments as a factor in Nigeria’s declining global standing. Appointees like Atiku Bagudu, who helped launder funds for former dictator Sani Abacha, and Uche Nnaji, implicated in forgery scandals, have fueled concerns about corruption and incompetence.
For Tinubu, the stakes are high. While his administration insists that these PR efforts are aimed at improving Nigeria’s international image, opposition voices, both at home and abroad, remain determined to hold him accountable for his past and present controversies.
“The president’s reputation has made it difficult for him to achieve his goals, both locally and internationally,” said one political analyst. “Whether this PR campaign will work remains to be seen, but the controversies surrounding him will not disappear overnight.”