Shehu Sani Critiques Atiku's US Lobbying Strategy

Former senator Shehu Sani criticized Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, for engaging the Washington-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. to circulate documents regarding President Bola Tinubu's past US forfeiture case. Sani described this move as unconscionable and unpatriotic, arguing that involving foreign lobbyists to negatively portray the President could damage Nigeria's international reputation and have adverse effects on ordinary citizens.

He expressed concern that such actions might escalate global distrust of Nigerians and expose the country to potential sanctions or visa restrictions. Sani emphasized that the opposition should pursue power within Nigeria rather than seeking foreign assistance for regime change.

Atiku reportedly contracted the lobbying firm in March for a 12-month period at a cost of $1.2 million to advocate for his perspectives on Nigeria-US relations and distribute records from the US Department of Justice related to a 1993 civil forfeiture proceeding involving Tinubu.