The commendation letter United States President, Donald Trump sent to President Bola Tinubu over his decisive leadership in tackling terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly attacks on Christian communities sparked a flurry of verbal battle between the opposition parties and the Presidency.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that Trump conveyed the commendation in a letter dated July 6, 2026.

“…I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities, and it is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous,” the letter read in parts.

The Presidency described the letter as evidence of the progress recorded by the Tinubu administration in its fight against terrorism, rather than a search for external validation.

However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissed the Presidency’s presentation of the letter from Trump to President Tinubu as an endorsement of the administration, insisting that it would not shield the President from electoral defeat in 2027.

The opposition party said diplomatic correspondence between world leaders was a routine aspect of international relations and should not be interpreted as a referendum on the Tinubu administration.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the Presidency of seeking international validation instead of addressing the country’s pressing security and economic challenges.

Similarly, the Allied People’s Movement (APM), accused the Presidency of misleading Nigerians by claiming that Trump commended President Tinubu for…