Karl Von Batten, founder of US-based policy advisory and lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, has alleged that he was offered $3 million and invited to a confidential meeting in London to end the firm’s campaign over allegations concerning President Bola Tinubu.
The firm, which is linked to Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, made the allegation in a statement posted on its X account on Wednesday, saying the offer was made “a few days ago” by a highly placed individual it was told was connected to Tinubu.
The firm said Von Batten rejected the offer and preserved copies of the communications, adding that it subsequently contacted members of Atiku’s campaign to establish the alleged intermediary’s relationship with the President.
“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 firm said.
It added that Von Batten “refused the offers, immediately preserved copies of the exchanges” and would submit the communications to the US Department of Justice and FBI for review.
Reacting, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, dismissed the claims as political speculation, saying the firm was a commercial lobbyist, not an arm of the US government.
“It is nothing more than political speculation packaged as classified information,” Dare said.
He also cited US Foreign Agents Registration Act filings, claiming Atiku retained the firm for $1.2 million for 12 months to counter Nigerian government narratives ahead of the 2027 election.
The $3 million allegation and other claims could not be independently verified as of filing.
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