Presidency Denies US Lobbyist Claims Against Tinubu

The Nigerian Presidency has rejected reports from the Washington-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., which was engaged by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for a campaign related to President Bola Tinubu. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, stated that the firm's actions are politically motivated and aim to create a crisis ahead of the 2027 elections.

Dare revealed that Atiku contracted the firm on a 12-month retainer worth $1.2 million, and accused it of misrepresenting political claims as intelligence reports. He emphasized that the circulated reports do not reflect the official stance of the US government and challenged the firm to provide evidence for its claims.

The controversy revolves around historical US records concerning Tinubu and a 1990s civil forfeiture case, which are also subject to ongoing Freedom of Information Act litigation in the US.