Arnold Calls for Investigations into Nigerian Government’s Lobbying Practices in the U.S.

Arnold Calls for Investigations into Nigerian Government’s Lobbying Practices in the U.S.

A former Mayor of Blanco, Texas, Mike Arnold, has raised serious concerns about the activities of the Nigerian government and a Washington-based lobbying firm, DCI Group. In a Facebook post on Monday, Arnold accused both parties of potentially violating U.S. and Nigerian laws, suggesting that their actions could constitute criminal offenses.

Arnold revealed that the Nigerian government is reportedly paying DCI Group a monthly fee of $750,000 under a contract filed with the U.S. Department of Justice. The contract, Arnold claims, was meant to communicate to U.S. policymakers that Nigeria was actively protecting Christian communities and fighting jihadist groups. However, he alleges that DCI Group has deviated from its official mandate by engaging in activities that could be considered politically biased.

Specifically, Arnold pointed out that the lobbying firm has launched social media attacks against prominent Nigerian politician and potential 2027 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. He cited posts allegedly made by DCI Group questioning Atiku’s ability to secure a U.S. visa and mocking him over his travel documents. Arnold argued that such activities are unrelated to the firm’s stated purpose of promoting Nigeria’s efforts against terrorism and safeguarding religious minorities.

The former mayor contrasted this with reports that Atiku engaged a different Washington-based lobbying firm at a cost of $1.2 million, which, according to registration documents, was working explicitly on behalf of the former vice president and against the Nigerian government. Arnold suggested that DCI Group’s actions could violate the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which requires transparency about political activities conducted on behalf of foreign clients. He emphasized that failing to disclose such work intentionally can be prosecuted as a felony under U.S. law.

Furthermore, Arnold raised concerns that using Nigerian public funds to finance activities targeting a political opponent might breach Nigeria’s Electoral Act, which prohibits the use of state resources to influence elections or undermine candidates. He called for investigations into the contract between Nigeria and DCI Group, as well as the firm’s public statements, urging law enforcement agencies in both countries to scrutinize the matter.

Arnold’s accusations highlight the complex intersection of foreign lobbying, domestic politics, and legal compliance. He emphasized that the contract details and related activities are accessible for review and urged authorities to take appropriate action if any laws have been broken. The controversy underscores the importance of transparency and adherence to legal standards in international political advocacy and lobbying efforts.