Atiku to presidency: Explain Tinubu’s $460k forfeiture rather than attacking my lobbyist

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar has hit back at the presidency asking it to explain President Bola Tinubu’s $460,000 forfeiture in the United States rather than discrediting his Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C.

Tinubu surrendered $460,000 to the US government in 1993, after a Chicago court found that the money was the proceeds of heroin trafficking.

In March, Atiku hired the lobbying firm to protect and strengthen his “reputational standing” in the US.

According to the document filed with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), one of the contract’s objectives is for the firm to “counterbalance” the Nigerian government’s “lobbying narratives” in the US.

In July, the firm said it had begun providing members of the Donald Trump administration, congress, and senior congressional staff with DOJ records relating to drug trafficking allegations against Tinubu.

The firm said many within the US government were previously unaware of the DOJ’s allegations concerning Tinubu and that it intended to ensure that the complete collection of DOJ court filings, a supporting affidavit, and related federal court decisions are brought to Trump’s attention.

On Wednesday, Sunday Dare, special adviser to the president on media and public communications, criticised Atiku for engaging the firm to lobby on his behalf.

He said claims suggesting that Von Batten, the firm’s managing partner, had access to Trump or his administration, or could influence ongoing US court proceedings, should be treated with caution.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, his senior special assistant on public communication, Atiku said the presidency is focusing on the personal history of Von Batten, the firm’s managing partner, rather than the $460,000 forfeiture question.

Atiku said his $1.2 million engagement with the lobbying firm was voluntarily registered with the DOJ under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

He said Tinubu should explain his alleged link to a US federal narcotics and money-laundering investigation, as well as the forfeiture of $460,000 held in an account in his name.

The ADC presidential candidate accused the presidency of hypocrisy for criticising his lobbying expenditure, reminding them that Tinubu’s administration entered into a $750,000-per-month arrangement with DCI Group, totalling $4.5 million over six months, with provisions that could increase the contract to $9 million.

“If Atiku’s $1.2 million is evidence of desperation, what exactly should Nigerians call your own arrangement capable of reaching $9 million?” he asked.

“President Tinubu, before counting Atiku’s $1.2 million, account for your own $9 million arrangement. And before attacking the messenger, answer the $460,000 question.”