The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has told President Bola Tinubu that foreign recognition will not secure him another term in office, insisting that Nigerians will judge his administration by its performance, not by diplomatic gestures from other world leaders.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party reacted to the Presidency’s celebration of a purported letter from United States President Donald Trump to Tinubu.

The ADC said presenting the letter as an endorsement of Tinubu’s administration was misleading, stressing that diplomatic correspondence between world leaders is a normal part of international relations.

“The Presidency’s attempt to present President Donald Trump’s letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as though it were a referendum on the state of the nation is not correct,” the party said.

According to the ADC, countries cooperate, leaders exchange views and letters regularly, adding that such communication does not amount to an endorsement of a government’s performance.

The party accused the Tinubu administration of being desperate for international validation instead of focusing on solving Nigeria’s challenges.

“It is apparent that this administration is desperate to seize upon any gesture of international recognition as proof of success at home,” the statement said.

The ADC maintained that “a letter from a foreign president, however well-intentioned, cannot substitute for the verdict of the Nigerian people.”

It added that the true measure of any government is not what foreign leaders say about it, but what citizens experience daily.

The opposition party argued that Trump’s letter had not changed the reality facing millions of Nigerians, especially those affected by insecurity.

“For the millions of Nigerians still living with the consequences of this government’s failures, President Trump’s communication changes nothing. It did not say that insecurity has been overcome or that Nigerians can once again travel freely, farm safely and sleep without fear,” the party stated.

The ADC also pointed to the continued captivity of hundreds of women and children in parts of Borno State and Kaiama in Kwara State, while many communities in Benue and other parts of the country still live in constant fear because of insecurity.

The party further noted that, despite the Presidency’s celebration of the letter, the United States Department of State has not changed its travel advisory for Nigeria.

According to the ADC, several Nigerian states remain under Level 3 and Level 4 travel advisories, with American citizens still being urged to reconsider or avoid travel because of crime, terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest.

“We therefore wonder how correspondence from a government that designates several Nigerian states as ‘Do Not Travel’ areas can be regarded as an endorsement,” the party said.

It argued that the travel advisory shows the international assessment of Nigeria’s security situation remains different from the image the Presidency is trying to project.

The ADC said Nigerians are more concerned about their safety than diplomatic exchanges between presidents.

“The daily reality of Nigerians is shaped not by diplomatic correspondence, but by the guarantee that they can go about their lives without falling victim to violent crime or terrorism,” it said.

The party stressed that Trump’s letter was simply communication between two presidents and “does not amount to an endorsement of this government’s overall performance.”

It urged the Tinubu administration to focus less on celebrating diplomatic courtesies and more on delivering measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.

“Ultimately, Nigerians will not judge this government by the letters it receives from foreign capitals. They will judge it by whether .…For more, Complete your reading.

The United Kingdom has updated its customs guidance for travellers, outlining the items visitors can bring into the country duty-free, those that are prohibited, and goods that require special permits before entry.

According to revised UK government guidance released on Thursday, duty-free allowances apply only to goods intended for personal use or as gifts. Any item imported for business or resale must be declared regardless of its value.

Travellers arriving in England, Scotland and Wales from outside the UK are permitted to bring up to 42 litres of beer, up to 18 litres of still wine, and either up to four litres of spirits containing more than 22 per cent alcohol or up to nine litres of alcoholic drinks with an alcohol content of up to 22 per cent, including sparkling wine, port, sherry and cider. The allowance may also be shared between spirits and lower-strength alcoholic drinks.

For tobacco, visitors may carry up to 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco or 200 heated tobacco sticks.

A combination of these products is also allowed provided it remains within the overall limit.

Travellers may also bring personal goods valued at up to £390 when arriving by most means of transport or up to £270 when arriving by private aircraft or private boat. These goods include clothing, electronics, jewellery, souvenirs and other personal purchases.

The updated guidance states that travellers under the age of 17 are not entitled to duty-free allowances for alcohol or tobacco. Any such items they carry must be declared and may be subject to customs duty and tax.

The UK government also listed items that are prohibited from entering the country.

These include controlled drugs, offensive weapons such as flick knives, pepper spray and CS gas, endangered animal and plant species, rough diamonds, indecent or obscene books, magazines, films and DVDs, and meat and dairy products from most non-EU countries. Border Force officers may seize these items, while offenders risk prosecution.

Certain goods can only be brought into the UK with the appropriate licence or permit. These include firearms, explosives, ammunition, selected food products, certain plants and plant products, some animal products, and goods protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), including exotic leather products, animal furs, some wooden musical instruments, tourist souvenirs made from protected species, certain foods, some beauty products and certain medicines.

The guidance also warns that counterfeit or pirated goods, including fake designer products and unauthorised copies of films or music, may be confiscated.

Travellers importing such items could also face prosecution for violating intellectual property laws.

Travellers must declare any goods that exceed their personal allowance, contain restricted or prohibited items, or are intended for commercial use or resale. Failure to do so may lead to seizure of the goods, fines or prosecution.

The UK government further explained that once a traveller exceeds the allowance in a particular category, customs duty and tax become payable on all goods in that category, not just the amount above the limit.

Travellers can submit customs declarations online up to five days before arrival or declare their goods at the border through the red customs channel or a red-point phone.

Customs officers may inspect luggage and require payment of duties, presentation of permits or surrender of prohibited items before allowing entry..…For more, Complete your reading.