By Onyekachukwu Utebor, Warri
The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has warned that attempts to drag Nigeria’s domestic political battles into foreign capitals could expose ordinary Nigerians to consequences beyond the country’s political arena.
Agbese, who spoke with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, said the growing campaign over alleged United States government documents concerning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu risked turning Nigeria’s international reputation into a casualty of the 2027 political contest.
He argued that while opposition politicians had every right to scrutinise Tinubu’s administration and challenge its policies, such disagreements should not be pursued through foreign governments and institutions.
“This has gone beyond politics,” Agbese said. “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.”
The lawmaker was reacting to reports of a Washington-based lobbying campaign seeking to draw the attention of members of the Donald Trump administration and the US Congress to allegations concerning the Nigerian President.
Agbese cautioned against using old documents and unproven allegations as political weapons, particularly when such materials are being circulated internationally in the build-up to a major election.
According to him, political rivalry must have limits, especially when actions taken in pursuit of electoral advantage could affect the wider Nigerian population.
“Political competition is legitimate, but there must be a line that every responsible politician must refuse to cross,” he said.
“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.”
The Benue lawmaker said the consequences of such campaigns could extend to Nigerians seeking admission into foreign institutions, international business partnerships, employment and investment opportunities.
He therefore called on the Trump administration to examine the motives and credibility of individuals presenting information about Nigeria before taking action based on politically sponsored campaigns.
“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,” Agbese said.
He maintained that Nigeria’s relationship with the United States should be driven by issues of mutual interest rather than domestic political disputes.
“America and Nigeria have a relationship that is far bigger than the ambitions of desperate politicians,” he said, adding that the partnership should centre on “security, trade, investment, development and the mutual interests of both countries.”
Agbese urged politicians seeking to defeat the Tinubu administration to deploy democratic and judicial channels, rather than seeking foreign intervention in Nigeria’s political affairs.
He said the House of Representatives would continue to defend Nigeria’s national interest while encouraging political actors to focus their campaigns on governance, policies and the electoral process.
The lawmaker further warned that Nigeria’s reputation should not be sacrificed for short-term political gains.
“We must stop treating Nigeria’s international reputation as collateral damage in our political contests,” he said.
“Whoever wins an election will still inherit the same country, and whoever loses will still remain a Nigerian.”
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