A Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York L.C., has called on the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, to intervene in what it described as worsening economic, political and security conditions in Nigeria, particularly affecting ordinary citizens and the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The firm made the appeal in a public statement shared on social media platform X, reacting to the recent travel advisory issued by the United States Department of State, which authorised the evacuation of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their families from Nigeria due to growing security concerns.
In its statement, the lobbying firm commended the State Department for what it described as a swift and responsible decision aimed at safeguarding American lives amid Nigeria’s deteriorating security environment. It noted that the evacuation directive affecting staff of the U.S. Embassy Abuja reflects the seriousness of the current situation on the ground.
“We thank the U.S. Department of State (@StateDept) for its quick action to protect American lives by authorising the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their family members from the U.S. Embassy in Abuja due to the worsening security environment,” the firm stated.
However, beyond commending the U.S. government’s protective measures for its citizens, the firm raised alarm over what it described as a broader crisis affecting Nigerians. It argued that while foreign nationals have the option of leaving the country in times of heightened insecurity, millions of Nigerians are left vulnerable and exposed to various threats.
According to the firm, Nigeria is currently facing a significant decline across multiple sectors, including security, the economy and social stability. It claimed that the situation has reached levels not seen in the country’s history, thereby necessitating urgent international attention and intervention.
“Under the current government, Nigeria is experiencing a serious deterioration in its economic, social, and security conditions, reaching levels not seen in its long and proud history,” the statement added.
The lobbying group further alleged that recent developments within Nigeria’s electoral system have compounded existing challenges. It specifically pointed to actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), suggesting that the commission may be operating under external political pressure.
While the firm did not provide detailed evidence for its claims, it asserted that decisions attributed to INEC under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have deepened public concerns about governance and democratic processes in the country.
“Recent actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (@inecnigeria), reportedly taken under pressure from the Office of the President, have only deepened these challenges,” the firm said.
The statement also criticised what it described as a governance approach focused more on political survival than on addressing the needs of citizens. It argued that ordinary Nigerians are increasingly being forced to navigate insecurity, economic hardship and institutional challenges without adequate government protection or support.
“While foreign nationals may depart, ordinary Nigerians are left to fend for themselves under a government that appears more focused on retaining power against the wishes of the majority of Nigerians than on fulfilling its responsibility to protect and provide for its citizens,” the firm added.
The firm’s remarks come at a time of heightened international scrutiny of Nigeria’s internal security situation. In recent years, the country has faced a range of security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnappings in the North-West and North-Central regions, as well as separatist tensions and criminal activities in parts of the South.
The latest advisory by the U.S. government highlighted risks such as terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery and civil unrest, warning that these threats remain widespread and, in some cases, unpredictable. It also noted that collaboration between terrorist groups and criminal networks has increased the complexity of the security landscape.
Although the Nigerian government has consistently maintained that it is taking steps to address these challenges through military operations and policy reforms, criticism from both domestic and international observers has persisted.
The intervention call by Von Batten-Montague-York L.C. adds a new dimension to the discourse, particularly as it directly appeals to the U.S. president to play a role in influencing developments in Nigeria. While it remains unclear what specific actions the firm expects from Washington, such calls often point to potential diplomatic engagement, policy pressure or support for democratic institutions.
As reactions continue to trail both the U.S. travel advisory and the lobbying firm’s statement, attention is likely to remain on how Nigerian authorities respond to growing concerns about security, governance and electoral integrity.
