Presidency Slams Atiku Over Alleged U.S. Lobbying Against Tinubu

….Questions His Motives

The Presidency has strongly criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his reported lobbying efforts in the United States against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty and pursuing personal political interests ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Atiku’s alleged decision to petition U.S. President Donald Trump, members of the U.S. Congress and the U.S. State Department over President Tinubu’s past civil forfeiture case as inappropriate and unbecoming of a statesman.

According to the Presidency, the matter relating to the 1993 civil forfeiture case had long been resolved in the United States and had no criminal conviction or finding of guilt against President Tinubu. It argued that revisiting the issue more than three decades later amounted to an attempt to revive a settled matter for political advantage.

The statement maintained that Nigeria is a sovereign nation and that taking domestic political disputes before foreign governments undermines the country’s dignity and independence. It added that the Nigerian electorate and the Supreme Court had already settled issues surrounding the 2023 presidential election.

The Presidency also alleged that Atiku spent about $1.2 million on American lobbyists and challenged the former vice president to explain his own legal history in the United States. It referenced Atiku’s alleged involvement in investigations linked to the William Jefferson bribery scandal and a 2010 U.S. Senate report titled Keeping Foreign Corruption Out of the United States: Four Case Histories.

Onanuga further accused Atiku of seeking the presidency to secure diplomatic immunity and avoid potential legal issues abroad, while also criticising his role in Nigeria’s privatisation programme during his tenure as vice president. He alleged that the exercise led to the sale of national assets to associates at undervalued prices and contributed to job losses and unpaid pensions.

The Presidency said Atiku should focus on presenting alternative policies to address Nigeria’s challenges rather than engaging in what it described as “media theatrics” and foreign lobbying.

It added that President Tinubu remains focused on implementing his Renewed Hope Agenda, stabilising the economy, improving security, attracting investment and strengthening Nigeria’s global standing, insisting that the administration would not be distracted by political opposition.