Photo Credit: X / @Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. via The Sun Nigeria
Atiku-linked US lobbying firm claims $3m bribe offer to drop campaign against Tinubu

A US-based lobbying firm linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has alleged that it was offered $3 million to stop a campaign involving allegations against President Bola Tinubu.

The firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., said its founder, Dr. Karl Von Batten, received the offer a few days ago from a “highly placed individual” said to be connected to President Tinubu.

According to a statement published on the firm’s X account on Wednesday, the offer came with an invitation to a confidential meeting in London, allegedly intended to persuade Von Batten to end the campaign relating to allegations over Tinubu’s alleged past heroin-trafficking records.

The firm said Von Batten rejected the offer and preserved copies of all communications with the alleged intermediary. It added that he thereafter contacted members of Atiku’s camp to ascertain the person’s alleged relationship with the President.

It also alleged that a smear campaign against Von Batten started shortly after he turned down the offer.

The firm said it would submit the communications and details of the alleged payment offer to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for review.

In its words: “A few days ago, Dr Von Batten received unsolicited offers of $3 million, along with an invitation to a confidential meeting in London, from a highly placed individual whom we have been informed is connected to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.”

The Presidency has since reacted to the allegation. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, dismissed the claims as political speculation and not an official position of the US government.

Dare challenged the firm to produce the alleged “highly classified intelligence report,” name its sources and provide documentary evidence.

He also rejected any suggestion that Von Batten was acting on behalf of the US government or President Donald Trump, describing his “Senior Government Advisor” title as a “linguistic sleight of hand” and calling him a commercial lobbyist.

Dare further questioned the firm’s ties to Atiku, citing filings under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) which he said showed Atiku engaged the firm on a $1.2 million, 12-month retainer to counter government narratives ahead of the 2027 general election.

The firm, however, maintained its position, concluding its statement with: “Thank you for the offer, but no thanks.”

As of press time, the identity of the person who allegedly made the $3 million offer and his claimed connection to President Tinubu could not be independently verified.

Source: The Sun Nigeria –