'It can be charged as felony' - Mike Arnold accuses Tinubu, DCI Group of violating US law. Forum 5 hours ago A former Mayor of Blanco, Texas, United States, Mike Arnold, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu and Washington-based lobbying firm, DCI Group of allegedly violating laws in the United States and Nigeria. Arnold, in a Facebook post on Monday, alleged that the Nigerian government was paying DCI Group $750,000 monthly under a contract filed with the US Department of Justice. According to him, the contract was specifically aimed at communicating to US authorities and policymakers that the Nigerian government was protecting Christian communities and combating jihadist groups. However, Arnold accused the lobbying firm of deviating from the terms of its engagement by allegedly launching social media attacks against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a potential opponent of Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. He cited a series of posts allegedly made by the firm questioning Atiku's ability to obtain a US visa and mocking the former vice president over his travel documents. Arnold argued that such activities were unrelated to DCI Group's declared mandate of promoting Nigeria's efforts against terrorism and protecting religious communities. He contrasted the arrangement with Atiku's reported engagement of a separate Washington lobbying firm for $1.2 million, noting that the firm's registration documents reportedly stated that it was working on behalf of the former vice president and against the Nigerian government. According to Arnold, DCI Group's activities could raise questions under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), particularly if political activities carried out on behalf of a foreign principal were not properly disclosed. "In the United States, leaving political work off a FARA filing is not a typo. It can be charged as a felony if they did it on purpose," Arnold said. He also alleged that the use of public funds to finance activities targeting a political opponent could violate provisions of Nigeria's Electoral Act prohibiting the use of state resources to support or undermine political candidates. Arnold said the contract between the Nigerian government and DCI Group, as well as the firm's public statements, were available for scrutiny. He called on relevant law enforcement agencies in both countries to investigate the matter.

Ex-Texas mayor accuses Tinubu, DCI Group of breaking US laws over lobbying contract. Published September 2, 2026 at 9:33 AM Key takeaways. * Former Blanco, Texas, mayor Mike Arnold accused President Bola Tinubu and Washington lobbying firm DCI Group of breaking US and Nigerian laws over lobbying work. * Arnold said Tinubu's administration paid DCI Group $750,000 monthly under a US Justice Department filing to sell Nigeria's anti-terror and Christian protection efforts. * Arnold alleged DCI Group instead attacked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar online, warning undisclosed political work could trigger a FARA felony charge.

Colby College graduate Lucy Preston joins DCI Group as account associate. Colby College graduate Lucy Preston has joined Washington-based public affairs firm DCI Group as an account associate, reported DC Newsline. Preston holds a Bachelor of Arts in government and art history from Colby College, where she studied abroad in London and Siena, Italy. She holds U.S., U.K., and EU citizenship. Before joining DCI, she interned at DGA Group and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, conducting legislative research and policy analysis on UK and EU issues across financial services, defense, and technology with DGA Group in London and Brussels. She also interned in London on art-market regulation and previously gained grassroots campaign experience on a Manhattan District Attorney campaign. Originally from New York City, she now lives in Washington, D.C. At DCI, Preston supports client teams across a range of public affairs and strategic communications engagements, providing policy research, analysis, and real-time monitoring. Her policy research background spans international relations, the Middle East, and emerging technology and data policy. Preston was one of six new hires DCI announced across its client services, digital, and strategic communications teams, bringing experience spanning Capitol Hill, journalism, foreign policy, and financial services. DCI adopted "Power of Influence" as its firmwide mantra last year, a description the firm uses for the day-to-day work of more than 100 professionals who counsel clients, engage policymakers, build coalitions, and shape narratives in sectors including energy, healthcare, and financial regulation. According to the firm, that work spans account associates, account managers, and account executives, and hiring across those levels remains a priority. Founded in 1996, DCI Group is a Washington-based public affairs and strategic communications firm that advises corporations, trade associations, nonprofit organizations and other clients on communications, advocacy and public policy campaigns.