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A US-based policy advisory and lobbying firm linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has alleged that its founder, Dr Karl Von Batten, was offered $3 million to abandon its campaign concerning allegations against President Bola Tinubu.
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The firm said the alleged offer was accompanied by an invitation to a confidential meeting in London, claiming the approach came from a highly placed individual whom it was told was connected to President Tinubu.
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Von Batten-Montague-York said its founder rejected the offer, preserved the communications and intends to submit the alleged payment proposal and related exchanges to the US Department of Justice and FBI for review.
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The Presidency has dismissed the claims as political speculation, questioning Von Batten’s credentials and pointing to a $1.2 million, 12-month lobbying engagement between the firm and Atiku as evidence of the political context behind its activities.
September 03, (THEWILL) — A fresh controversy over allegations concerning President Bola Tinubu’s past has erupted between the Presidency and a United States-based lobbying firm linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, after the firm claimed that its founder was offered $3 million to abandon its campaign.
Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., in a statement posted on its X account on Wednesday, alleged that its founder, Dr Karl Von Batten, received an unsolicited offer of $3 million “a few days ago”, alongside an invitation to a confidential meeting in London.
The firm said the alleged offer came from a highly placed individual whom it was informed was connected to President Tinubu.
According to the lobbyists, the purpose of the approach was to persuade Von Batten to end the firm’s campaign concerning allegations relating to what it described as Tinubu’s alleged heroin-trafficking records.
The allegation adds a dramatic new dimension to an increasingly bitter political and legal dispute over historical US records relating to Tinubu, with the matter now extending beyond the contents of the records to an alleged attempt to influence those campaigning for their disclosure.
Von Batten-Montague-York said its founder rejected the offer and immediately preserved copies of the communications exchanged with the alleged intermediary.
It further said Von Batten contacted members of Atiku Abubakar’s campaign to establish the nature of the individual’s alleged relationship with Tinubu.
The firm claimed that a smear campaign against its founder commenced shortly after he turned down the alleged offer.
“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 the alleged approach was believed to be an attempt to persuade Von Batten to end its campaign concerning allegations involving Tinubu.
The firm said it would submit the alleged $3 million offer and the related communications to the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for review.
It ended its statement with a direct message to Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress and their associates: “Thank you for the offer, but no thanks.”
Presidency Fires Back
The Presidency has rejected the allegations, describing Von Batten’s claims as political speculation rather than an authoritative assessment by the United States government.
Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, challenged those behind the allegations to produce documentary evidence and identify the unnamed sources upon whom their claims were based.
Dare particularly took issue with attempts to present statements attributed to Von Batten as intelligence reports or evidence of the position of the US government.
He argued that the materials being circulated contained no intelligence document, named Western official, or evidence of any exchange involving Nigeria’s classified information, resources or national secrets.
According to Dare, the claims amounted to “nothing more than political speculation packaged as classified information.”
The presidential aide also disputed the description of Von Batten as a “Senior Government Advisor,” arguing that the title could wrongly suggest that he was an official of the US government.
“The self-bestowed appellation of ‘Senior Government Advisor’ is a linguistic sleight of hand,” Dare said.
He described Von Batten as a commercial lobbyist and founder of Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., rather than an official of the US government.
Dare also sought to place the latest allegations within the context of Atiku’s relationship with the lobbying firm.
He cited filings made under the United States Foreign Agents Registration Act, FARA, which he said showed that Atiku contracted Von Batten-Montague-York on a $1.2 million, 12-month retainer.
He maintained that the firm’s Nigerian political connection was apparent from the names contained in its lobbying documents.
The presidential aide also accused the firm of producing public relations material which was subsequently presented as though it represented the position of the US government.
He questioned claims that Von Batten had access to President Donald Trump or members of his administration, or possessed the ability to influence US legal proceedings.
Atiku Camp Enters The Fray
The controversy has also drawn a response from Atiku’s camp, which has defended the lobbying arrangement while challenging the Presidency to focus on the underlying US records rather than the identity or background of Von Batten.
Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, accused the Presidency of attempting to divert attention from documentary records by attacking the lobbyist.
Shaibu argued that the $1.2 million lobbying agreement was voluntarily filed under FARA and that details of the engagement were publicly disclosed.
He also challenged the Presidency to respond to the American court and government records being cited by critics of Tinubu.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
