The Presidency has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over a reported $1.2 million lobbying agreement with a Washington-based firm.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, described the campaign coming from the United States as politically motivated.
In a statement, Dare alleged that Atiku’s political camp was using the activities of Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. to seek foreign support ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
He said documents filed under the United States Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) showed that Atiku had engaged the firm for 12 months at a cost of $1.2 million.
According to Dare, the agreement was aimed at challenging the Nigerian government’s position and using old US legal records as political tools in Nigeria.
He also questioned statements linked to Dr Karl-Marx Edward Okeke-Von Batten, describing him as a commercial lobbyist and founder of the firm, rather than a US government official.
Dare warned against claims that Okeke-Von Batten had direct access to President Donald Trump or his administration, or could influence ongoing court proceedings in the US.
“The self-bestowed appellation of ‘Senior Government Advisor’ is a linguistic sleight of hand,” Dare said.
He added that Okeke-Von Batten’s statements reflected his personal or business interests and should not be presented as the position of the US government or the President.
Dare also challenged those making claims about a “highly classified intelligence report” to produce the document, identify their sources and provide evidence to support the allegations.
He said the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) case involving historical US records had been ongoing since 2023 and had no connection with Tinubu’s current foreign engagements.
According to him, the FBI’s position in the case was mainly related to protecting investigative methods and the identities and safety of its sources.
Dare also referred to comments by lawyer Wole Afolabi, SAN, on Channels Television about FOIA requests for historical records. He said Afolabi explained that some information was withheld in line with US laws protecting confidential investigative processes.
Dare argued that if Tinubu had committed a criminal offence under US law during earlier investigations, American authorities would have had the opportunity to prosecute him at the time.
He accused opposition politicians of relying on decades-old US legal records instead of presenting Nigerians with clear policy alternatives ahead of the 2027 election.
He said the opposition was increasingly relying on “muckraking, emotional manipulation, and ethnic polarisation” instead of offering detailed plans for the economy and national development.
Dare said the Tinubu administration was focused on fiscal reforms, infrastructure and changes to government institutions.
He maintained that political parties would ultimately be judged by their records, policies and ability to win the confidence of Nigerian voters.
According to him, elections cannot be won through foreign lobbying or media campaigns but through verifiable domestic performance, national vision and tangible infrastructure.
He urged US courts and law enforcement agencies to continue handling their cases according to the law and without political interference.
Dare said Nigerians would ultimately judge political parties based on their performance and policy proposals, rather than statements made by foreign-based lobbyists.
Presidency criticises Atiku over reported $1.2m Washington lobbying deal
