Tinubu's Presidency Criticizes Atiku's U.S. Lobbying

On Thursday, the Presidency launched a critique against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of attempting to internationalize Nigeria's domestic politics by allegedly lobbying U.S. President Donald Trump and members of Congress concerning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, stated that Atiku's actions were unbecoming of an elder statesman and an affront to Nigeria's sovereignty. The alleged lobbying focused on a civil forfeiture case involving Tinubu from 1993, which the Presidency claimed had been resolved without any criminal conviction.

The statement argued that Tinubu's electoral victory, confirmed by the Supreme Court, settled the matter politically and legally. The Presidency expressed disappointment that Atiku, who has sought the presidency for over three decades, would resort to reporting the Nigerian president to foreign leaders.

It condemned the engagement of American lobbyists as inappropriate and urged Atiku to respect the office he aspires to occupy.