Daud Olatunji
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged the Presidency to explain the circumstances surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s reported forfeiture of $460,000 in the United States rather than attacking the Washington-based lobbying firm he engaged.
Atiku’s challenge followed criticism from the Presidency over his $1.2m engagement of Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., a US lobbying firm, to strengthen his reputation and counter what his camp described as the Federal Government’s lobbying narratives in the United States.
The former Vice-President, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said on Wednesday that the Presidency was attempting to divert attention from questions surrounding Tinubu’s past legal troubles in the US by focusing on the background of the lobbying firm’s managing partner.
Atiku said his engagement with the firm was lawfully registered with the United States Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
He therefore challenged the Presidency to address what he described as the substantive issue—the reported $460,000 forfeiture involving Tinubu—rather than attacking the messenger.
The controversy dates back to 1993, when Tinubu reportedly surrendered $460,000 to the US authorities following proceedings in a Chicago court concerning funds in accounts linked to him.
Atiku’s camp has continued to raise the issue in the course of the 2027 political realignment, insisting that the Presidency should publicly explain the circumstances surrounding the forfeiture.
The ADC candidate said the lobbying firm was engaged in March as part of efforts to protect and strengthen his “reputational standing” in the US.
Documents reportedly filed with the US Department of Justice under FARA indicated that part of the firm’s mandate was to “counterbalance” what it described as the Nigerian government’s lobbying narratives in the United States.
The firm said in July that it had commenced efforts to provide members of the Donald Trump administration, members of Congress and senior congressional staff with records relating to allegations concerning Tinubu.
According to the firm, some officials within the US government were previously unaware of the Department of Justice records concerning the allegations.
It said it intended to ensure that relevant court filings, an affidavit and related federal court decisions were brought to the attention of the Trump administration.
However, the development drew criticism from the Presidency.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, on Wednesday questioned claims concerning the lobbying firm’s access to Trump or his administration.
Dare also cautioned against suggestions that the firm or its managing partner could influence ongoing US judicial proceedings.
Reacting, Atiku accused the Presidency of hypocrisy, arguing that the administration should disclose its own spending on lobbying before criticising his engagement.
He alleged that the Tinubu administration entered into a $750,000-per-month arrangement with DCI Group, which he said amounted to $4.5m over six months and contained provisions that could potentially raise the value to $9m.
“If Atiku’s $1.2 million is evidence of desperation, what exactly should Nigerians call your own arrangement capable of reaching $9 million?” Atiku asked.
He added that Tinubu should first account for the alleged $9m lobbying arrangement and address the circumstances surrounding the $460,000 forfeiture.
“President Tinubu, before counting Atiku’s $1.2 million, account for your own $9 million arrangement. And before attacking the messenger, answer the $460,000 question,” he said.
The renewed exchange has added another dimension to the emerging political battle ahead of the 2027 general elections, with both camps increasingly scrutinising the political activities, foreign engagements and past records of their opponents.
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