Atiku’s US lobby firm warns Tinubu, seeks sanctions on insecurity, elections

A stark warning has emerged from Washington, D.C., where the lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has publicly criticized the administration of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. Representing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the firm has indicated it is actively engaging with U.S. officials, including those associated with the incoming Trump administration, to raise concerns about Nigeria's internal affairs.

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H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current President of Nigeria, is a statesman with a long and respected legacy. Nevertheless, his tenure as President is not viewed favourably by a majority of Nigerians.

The core of the firm's message, as reported by The Punch, centers on allegations of election interference and persistent insecurity within Nigeria. They have explicitly stated their mandate from Abubakar is to advocate for U.S. involvement in addressing these critical issues, including the ongoing violence and the need for free and fair elections. This external pressure highlights a significant diplomatic and political dimension to Nigeria's domestic challenges.

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As American registered foreign agents, we have no authority to remove a sitting leader from office; that power rests exclusively with the Nigerian people.

Furthermore, the firm has not shied away from issuing a direct threat: the potential invocation of Global Magnitsky sanctions. This punitive measure would be considered if credible evidence emerges linking Nigerian officials to human rights violations, particularly the killing of Christians in Northern Nigeria, or to efforts aimed at rigging future elections. The firm's strong stance underscores the gravity with which these issues are being viewed on the international stage, and the potential consequences for Nigerian leadership if these concerns are not adequately addressed.

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Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar is not your adversary, but a fellow statesman who has directed us to advocate for US engagement aimed at ending the killing of innocent Nigerians and ensuring that the right to free and fair elections is fully respected.