Dr Karl Von Batten, the founder of a United States-based policy advisory and lobbying firm linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that he was offered $3 million to terminate a campaign targeting President Bola Tinubu.
The firm claims that the payment was proposed during a confidential meeting in London, where Von Batten was invited to discuss the cessation of its activities regarding various allegations against the President.
This development adds a new layer of tension to the long-standing political rivalry between the presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the allegations suggest an attempt to use financial inducements to silence international critics of the current administration.
The US-based firm has been operating as a policy advisory entity, a common mechanism used by Nigerian political figures to manage their international image or pressure foreign governments to take a particular stance on domestic Nigerian affairs. By linking the firm to Atiku Abubakar, the claim places the former Vice President at the centre of a diplomatic tug-of-war involving lobbying efforts in Washington and London.
International Lobbying and Political Pressure
The use of foreign lobbying firms has become a staple of Nigerian political strategy, particularly for candidates and opposition leaders seeking to influence the US State Department or the UK Foreign Office. These firms typically compile dossiers on political opponents, focusing on legal disputes, financial records, or citizenship questions to weaken their standing with international partners.
In this instance, the campaign led by Von Batten’s firm reportedly focused on allegations against President Tinubu. While the specific nature of the campaign’s current dossiers was not detailed, such efforts generally aim to trigger diplomatic scrutiny or sanctions from Western powers.
The allegation of a $3 million payoff indicates a strategic move to neutralize these external pressures. If verified, the claim would suggest that proxies for the presidency are actively working to dismantle opposition-led narratives outside Nigerian borders through financial settlements.
The political climate in Nigeria remains polarised, with the opposition frequently using international platforms to challenge the legitimacy and conduct of the Tinubu administration. This latest claim by Von Batten is likely to be used by the opposition to portray the administration as desperate to suppress dissent through illicit means.
The presidency has not yet issued a formal response to the allegations made by the US firm. It remains unclear who exactly extended the offer or whether the proposal was sanctioned by official government channels or managed by private intermediaries.
The fallout from these claims may prompt further scrutiny from US regulators regarding the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which requires individuals lobbying on behalf of foreign principals to disclose their activities and funding.
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