Atiku’s US Lobbyist Alleges Political Intimidation, Threatens To Brief Trump

A United States-based lobbying firm hired by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of suppressing dissent and weakening democratic freedoms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., made the allegation in a statement posted on its official X account on Monday, claiming it was already engaging the United States government over what it described as growing human rights concerns in Nigeria.

According to the statement, the group intends to brief the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and members of the U.S. Congress on alleged cases of political intimidation, arrests of critics and the “weaponisation of state institutions” against opposition figures.

“The Nigerian government under Bola Tinubu is increasingly displaying the behaviour of a single-party dictatorship consolidating power through fear and intimidation,” the firm stated.

It alleged that critics of the Federal Government were increasingly being targeted through arrests, detentions and corruption-related charges.

The lobbying firm specifically referenced the legal troubles involving former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, claiming he was charged after publicly criticising President Tinubu.

It also referred to businessman John Olatunde Ayeni, alleging that he had faced legal pressure after criticising the current administration.

According to the firm, “the common thread is becoming difficult to ignore: critics of the Tinubu government are increasingly being targeted.”

The group further claimed that ordinary Nigerians without public influence were also facing intimidation and unlawful treatment without attracting international attention.

The allegations come amid heightened political tension surrounding El-Rufai, who has remained in custody for over 90 days despite reportedly securing bail from a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had granted him bail in the sum of ₦100 million with strict conditions, including the provision of a senior civil servant as surety and verified property documents.

However, El-Rufai remains in detention following a separate corruption-related order issued by a Kaduna State High Court directing that he be held by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

His prolonged detention has sparked protests by supporters and associates outside the headquarters of the Department of State Services in Abuja, with demonstrators accusing security agencies of disobeying court orders and denying him adequate medical access and legal rights.

As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government had not officially responded to the allegations raised by the US lobbying firm.