Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Benin Republic and seasoned diplomat, Ambassador Dr. Lawrence Obisakin, has described the efforts of Nigerian opposition politicians lobbying the United States Congress and White House over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's legal documents as "almost shameful."
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Inside Sources hosted by Laolu Akande, the veteran diplomat—who boasts over 35 years in international relations and United Nations affairs—urged Nigerian politicians to prioritize domestic issues over foreign appeals.
Key Takeaways from Amb. Obisakin’s Analysis
1. "Look Inward, Put Food on the Table"
Obisakin criticized opposition figures for circulating Chicago court papers to the U.S. Congress and White House, emphasizing that foreign powers act strictly out of national self-interest rather than altruism:
- Critique of Foreign Dependency: He likened opposition politicians appealing to Washington to a distressed father praying to a deceased son for help, noting that Nigeria possesses a rich heritage and immense natural wealth that should be harnessed internally.
- Call for People-Centric Governance: Obisakin urged political leaders to focus their energy on economic recovery and improving daily life for ordinary citizens rather than seeking external political validation.
"It is almost shameful that we go and appeal to the Americans... Nigerian politicians will do well to help Nigerians by putting food on the table. The ball is that Nigerians have been endowed, yet our people are suffering." — Amb. Dr. Lawrence Obisakin
2. Significance of Trump’s Letter to Tinubu
Addressing a recent
letter sent by U.S. President Donald Trump to President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu, Obisakin provided a diplomatic breakdown of Washington's
underlying motives:
- U.S. Strategic & Resource Interests:
Obisakin explained that global powers court Nigeria because of its
geopolitical clout and natural resources. He highlighted that Africa
hosts 42 of the world's 48 rare minerals, making Nigeria an
indispensable partner in global competition.
- Counter-Terrorism
& Security Alliances: Trump's letter praised President Tinubu's
leadership in addressing security challenges and highlighted elite
military cooperation between both nations. Obisakin noted that such
correspondence reflects standard bilateral diplomacy where both nations
seek strategic alignment.
- Evolving Diplomatic Channels: He
observed that direct leader-to-leader communications (such as personal
letters, emails, and social media) have complemented traditional
diplomatic channels, though having active ambassadors remains vital to
following up on high-level commitments.
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