Atiku Abubakar's U.S. Lobbying Threatens Nigeria's Sovereignty

On Thursday, the Nigerian Presidency, represented by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of trying to internationalize Nigeria's domestic politics through lobbying efforts in the United States. This accusation follows reports that a U.S.-based lobbying group submitted petitions to U.S.

President Donald Trump, the U.S. State Department, and members of Congress concerning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Onanuga stated that these petitions revive a long-resolved 1993 civil forfeiture case involving Tinubu, which had been settled without any criminal conviction. He criticized Atiku for taking complaints about Nigeria's president to foreign leaders, asserting that it undermines Nigeria's sovereignty.

Furthermore, Onanuga challenged Atiku to clarify his own legal history in the U.S., referencing his alleged involvement in the William Jefferson bribery scandal. He urged Atiku to focus on national interests rather than personal ambitions in his pursuit of the presidency.