A lobbying firm in the United States, linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, claims that its founder, Dr. Karl Von Batten, was offered $3 million to stop their campaign against Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. The firm said this offer came from a person believed to be connected to Tinubu and involved a secret meeting in London. They allege the campaign concerns accusations about Tinubu's past related to drug trafficking. The firm rejected the offer and has kept records of the communications. They plan to report this incident to US authorities for investigation. The Nigerian Presidency, represented by Special Adviser Sunday Dare, dismissed these claims as political speculation and questioned the credibility of the lobbying firm, stating it does not represent the US government. Dare also pointed out that Atiku has a contract with the firm worth $1.2 million to help counter the Nigerian government's narrative, suggesting that the firm is using its influence for political gain ahead of the 2027 elections. However, the claims made by both the firm and the Presidency have not been independently verified, and the allegations remain unproven.
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