Presidency Accuses Atiku Of Undermining Nigeria With U.S. Anti-Tinubu Lobbying

Presidency Accuses Atiku of Undermining Nigeria with U.S. Anti Tinubu Lobbying The Presidency has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty by allegedly lobbying officials in the United States against President Bola Tinubu, escalating political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections. The allegations were made in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who claimed Atiku’s political ambitions had eclipsed the conduct expected of a former statesman. According to the Presidency, Atiku’s U.S.-based lobbyists petitioned President Donald Trump, the U.S. State Department and members of Congress over Tinubu’s 1993 civil forfeiture case in the United States. Onanuga argued that the matter had been resolved decades ago, scrutinised during the 2023 presidential election, and settled by Nigeria’s Supreme Court, describing efforts to revive it internationally as an attempt to politicise domestic affairs. The presidential aide also challenged Atiku to address questions surrounding his own legal history in the United States, citing references to the William Jefferson bribery investigation and a 2010 U.S. Senate report examining financial transactions involving the former vice president and his ex-wife. He further criticised Atiku’s role in Nigeria’s privatisation programme under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, alleging it benefited politically connected individuals at the expense of public interest.

Meanwhile, opposition parties dismissed the Presidency’s position. The African Democratic Congress ADC argued that the administration was overstating the significance of a recent letter from President Trump, insisting that diplomatic correspondence could not substitute for public approval of Tinubu’s performance. Similarly, the Allied Peoples Movement APM accused the government of misrepresenting Trump’s remarks, saying the letter acknowledged Tinubu’s commitment to tackling insecurity rather than celebrating concrete achievements. The latest exchange underscores the intensifying political rivalry between the Tinubu administration and Atiku as both camps continue to trade accusations over governance, international engagement and preparations for the 2027 elections.