Presidency Slams Atiku Over U.S. Lobbying Against Tinubu

The Presidency has launched a blistering attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty by allegedly lobbying the United States (US)against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a strongly worded statement titled, “When Will Atiku Abubakar Report Himself to President Trump?”, the special adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Atiku’s reported move to petition US President Donald Trump and members of the American Congress over President Tinubu as unbecoming of a former vice president and elder statesman.

According to Onanuga, Atiku’s alleged lobbying campaign, which reportedly involved petitions to the White House and the US State Department over a 1993 civil forfeiture case involving Tinubu, amounted to an attempt to internationalise Nigeria’s domestic politics.

“It is important to remind Atiku and his associates that Nigeria is a sovereign nation, not a satellite of any foreign power. Reporting the President of Nigeria to another country’s leader is not only inappropriate but also undermines the nation’s dignity and independence,” the statement said.

The Presidency argued that the civil forfeiture case cited by Atiku’s supporters had been resolved more than three decades ago and had neither resulted in a criminal conviction nor prevented Tinubu from winning elections in Lagos State and, subsequently, the Nigerian presidency.

It added that the matter had also been ventilated during the 2023 presidential election and resolved through the electoral process and the Supreme Court.

“The issue was resolved over 30 years ago in the United States and has been thoroughly litigated, explained and rendered moot by the electoral mandates conferred on President Bola Tinubu by the people of Lagos and Nigeria at large,” Onanuga stated.

The Presidency further alleged that Atiku had spent about $1.2 million on American lobbyists to advance the campaign against Tinubu, saying the former vice president should instead explain his own legal history in the United States.

Onanuga referenced Atiku’s alleged involvement in investigations related to the William Jefferson bribery scandal and a 2010 U.S. Senate report titled “Keeping Foreign Corruption Out of the United States: Four Case Histories,” which examined financial transactions involving Atiku and his former wife, Jennifer Douglas.

The presidential spokesman also accused Atiku of seeking the presidency for personal reasons rather than national interest, claiming his ambition was driven by a desire to obtain diplomatic immunity and avoid potential legal issues abroad.

He further criticised the former vice president’s role in Nigeria’s privatisation programme during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, alleging that national assets were sold to cronies at undervalued prices, leading to job losses and unpaid pensions.

The Presidency maintained that President Tinubu remains focused on implementing his Renewed Hope Agenda and would not be distracted by political opponents.

“President Tinubu is unfazed by Atiku’s theatrics as he remains focused on his Renewed Hope Agenda, stabilising the economy, attracting investments, securing the nation and restoring Nigeria’s standing in the world,” the statement said.