Presidency Faults Atiku’s US Lobbying, Says Tinubu Undistracted By 2027 Politics

The Presidency has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over reported efforts by his supporters to lobby United States President Donald Trump and members of the US Congress over President Bola Tinubu’s past legal issues, describing the move as an attempt to internationalise Nigeria’s domestic politics.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said it was inappropriate for a former vice president to petition a foreign government against a sitting Nigerian president, arguing that such actions undermine the country’s sovereignty.

The Presidency maintained that the 1993 civil forfeiture case involving President Tinubu in the United States had been resolved decades ago and had been thoroughly addressed during the 2023 presidential election and subsequent court proceedings.

It also alleged that Atiku had spent about $1.2 million on American lobbyists and urged him to explain his own legal history in the United States, referencing his past links to investigations connected to the William Jefferson bribery case and a 2010 US Senate report on foreign corruption.

The statement further accused Atiku of pursuing the presidency for personal reasons and criticised his role in Nigeria’s privatisation programme during his tenure as vice president, alleging that it benefited political allies at the expense of the public.

The Presidency said Atiku should focus on presenting policy alternatives rather than engaging in what it described as “media theatrics” abroad.

It added that President Tinubu remained focused on implementing his Renewed Hope Agenda, stabilising the economy, improving security and attracting investment, insisting he would not be distracted by political opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.