A United States-based Republican lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has intensified its criticism of President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of portraying scrutiny over his alleged past drug links as an attack on Nigeria.
The firm, which has acknowledged representing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, disclosed on Thursday that its officials met with members of the US Congress and thanked Congressman Chris Smith for raising concerns about Nigeria during a congressional hearing on United Nations accountability and foreign policy.
In a statement posted on X, the lobbying firm alleged that President Tinubu had criticised Atiku for engaging its services to brief US policymakers.
According to the firm, Tinubu was attempting to equate discussions about his alleged past links to drug trafficking with an attack on Nigeria and its national interest.
It argued that criticism directed at the President should not be interpreted as criticism of Nigeria or its citizens.
The firm also claimed that ordinary Nigerians should not be associated with allegations involving the President, insisting that “calling out alleged drug dealers is not unpatriotic.”
Von Batten-Montague-York further drew a distinction between Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, describing the former vice president as a statesman and pledging to continue engaging US authorities over the matter.
The firm stated that it would continue its campaign until, in its words, the President’s name is added to the list of foreign leaders indicted by the United States for drug trafficking.
President Tinubu has consistently denied any wrongdoing over allegations linked to a US narcotics investigation from the early 1990s.
While documents relating to the forfeiture of funds connected to that investigation have remained a recurring subject of political debate in Nigeria, no US court has convicted Tinubu of drug trafficking.
