A US-based lobbying firm linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has claimed it was offered $3 million to stop its campaign against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. made the claim in a statement on its X account on Wednesday.
The firm said a highly placed individual made the offer on behalf of people linked to Tinubu. It said the person also invited its founder, Dr Karl Von Batten, to a confidential meeting in London.
Firm alleges $3m offer
According to the firm, the offer came days ago as an attempt to end its campaign over allegations concerning Tinubu’s alleged heroin-trafficking records.
Von Batten-Montague-York said Von Batten rejected the offer. The firm added that he kept copies of the communications with the person who made the approach.
It said Von Batten later contacted members of Atiku’s campaign team. He wanted to establish the alleged intermediary’s relationship with Tinubu.
The firm also claimed that a smear campaign against its founder began after he rejected the offer.
It said it would submit the alleged $3 million offer and related communications to the US Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for review.
However, the firm did not identify the person who allegedly made the offer. It also did not release the communications or other evidence supporting the claim.
Presidency dismisses lobbying firm’s claims
The allegation has drawn a response from the Presidency. Special Adviser to Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, dismissed the firm’s wider claims as political speculation.
Dare challenged those behind the allegations to produce the intelligence reports they claimed to possess.
He also asked them to identify their unnamed sources and provide documentary evidence.
According to Dare, Von Batten is a commercial lobbyist. He said the firm does not represent the US government or President Donald Trump.
Dare also questioned the firm’s relationship with Atiku. He cited filings made under the United States Foreign Agents Registration Act.
He said the filings showed that Atiku contracted Von Batten-Montague-York under a 12-month agreement worth $1.2 million.
Dare alleged that the agreement involved efforts to counter the Nigerian government’s position in Washington ahead of the 2027 general election.
Firm says it will approach US authorities
Von Batten-Montague-York maintained that it had preserved the communications linked to the alleged offer.
The firm said it would submit the material to US authorities for review.
It also maintained its opposition to attempts to stop its campaign concerning records linked to Tinubu.
The allegation comes amid an ongoing dispute over historical US government records concerning the President.
The records relate to a US investigation in the early 1990s. They also cover a 1993 civil forfeiture proceeding involving about $460,000 linked to Tinubu.
Tinubu was not criminally charged over the civil forfeiture proceeding.
The records have become a major political issue ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Atiku and his allies have continued to demand greater disclosure.
$3m claim remains unverified
The claim that Von Batten received a $3 million offer could not be independently verified.
The firm has not identified the alleged intermediary. It has also not publicly released evidence establishing the person’s connection to Tinubu.
The Presidency has rejected the wider claims made by the lobbying firm. It described them as political claims rather than official US government findings.
The dispute is likely to remain part of the political debate surrounding Tinubu, Atiku and the 2027 presidential election.
