A former mayor of a Texas city in the United States, Mike Arnold, has outlined conditions under which he would stop criticising President Bola Tinubu and his administration.
Arnold said he would end his criticism if the Federal Government acknowledges the plight of displaced Nigerians living in camps within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and takes urgent steps to address their suffering.
In an open letter shared on his verified X account, the American lawyer estimated that at least 40,000 displaced Nigerians were living in eight or more camps across the FCT, where many families allegedly face difficult living conditions.
He called on Tinubu to recognise the existence of the displaced persons and provide immediate assistance to improve their welfare.
Arnold urged the president to mobilise international relief organisations to support the affected communities, stressing that displaced families should have access to basic necessities, including food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, medical care and education for their children.
He also called on the Tinubu administration to take decisive action against Boko Haram and other armed terrorist groups operating in areas from which the families were displaced.
According to him, the government must ensure that the affected communities are cleared of armed groups so that displaced Nigerians can safely return to their ancestral homes and rebuild their lives.
Arnold maintained that his demand was not motivated by personal interests, political appointments or financial benefits, but by his desire to see vulnerable Nigerians receive the assistance and protection they need.
He also claimed that he had become a major target of attacks linked to the $9 million United States lobbying contract allegedly associated with the Tinubu administration. Arnold said the attacks had only strengthened his resolve to continue speaking out.
The former mayor further stated that he had no interest in securing a government position, ambassadorial appointment, contract or financial favour in exchange for ending his criticism.
In the letter, Arnold challenged Tinubu to demonstrate a commitment to addressing the humanitarian situation, insisting that meaningful action would determine whether he would continue speaking against the president and his administration.
He wrote: “Acknowledge the tens of thousands of innocent displaced Nigerians, as many as 40,000 or more, living in at least eight horrific camps inside the Federal Capital Territory. Acknowledge that they exist. Acknowledge that they are suffering. Then act.”
Arnold also declared that he did not want an ambassadorial appointment or any other personal benefit from the Nigerian government.
“Do you want me to be quiet? I do not want a shambassadorial appointment. I do not want a government position, contract, favour or money,” he stated.
He added that he would stop commenting on Tinubu and the presidential election if the government fulfilled his demands and ensured that the displaced families received the necessary support.
Arnold said his decision would allow him to step away from the controversy knowing that the widows, orphans and displaced families he had advocated for were finally receiving attention, protection and assistance.
He concluded by emphasising that his demands centred on humanitarian concerns rather than personal gain.
“No appointment. No payment. No personal benefit. Just mercy. Justice. Action. The choice is yours, Mr President,” he wrote.
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