Abuja Network News
ABUJA – The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stern rebuke to the United States Mission in Nigeria, accusing it of orchestrating a "relentless smear campaign" and promoting "jaundiced narratives" aimed at tarnishing the country’s image and undermining public confidence in its leadership.
According to high-ranking government sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, the U.S. Mission is being accused of circulating a controversial article published by The Africa Report. The report alleged that governors of Oyo and Gombe States—Seyi Makinde and Inuwa Yahaya—were misusing state resources on luxury government lodges while citizens endured severe economic hardship.
The Nigerian government described the report as "deeply flawed, misleading, and politically motivated," emphasizing that both governors have long been celebrated as prudent and development-oriented leaders in their respective states.
"Such narratives not only misrepresent the facts but also pose a serious risk to our bilateral relationship with the United States," one official said. “This is a clear violation of diplomatic protocol as outlined in Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which prohibits foreign missions from interfering in the domestic affairs of their host countries.”
The government’s concerns go beyond the article. Officials also criticized a recent U.S. State Department travel advisory, which they said painted an alarmist and exaggerated picture of insecurity in Nigeria. "It is ironic that the U.S. issues warnings about Nigeria while cities like Chicago, Baltimore, and Los Angeles are battling alarming rates of gun violence and crime," another source added.
Furthermore, the government believes the U.S. Mission’s actions are part of a larger agenda aimed at weakening public trust in state institutions, particularly those led by governors affiliated with reformist or opposition blocs.
“We consider this a breach of the long-standing mutual respect that has characterized Nigeria–U.S. relations for decades,” said the source.
No official statement has been issued by the U.S. Mission in response to the allegations as of press time.
The Federal Government is reportedly preparing a formal diplomatic complaint to be delivered through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meanwhile, there are renewed calls within diplomatic circles for both countries to maintain decorum and strengthen ties through mutual dialogue and respect for national sovereignty.
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