A United States-based policy advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has alleged that it was offered $3 million to stop its campaign concerning Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s alleged drug-trafficking records.
The firm made the allegation in a post published on its verified X account on Wednesday.
Von Batten-Montague-York said its leader, Dr Von Batten, rejected the alleged offers and preserved copies of the communications.
The firm also said it contacted members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s campaign to establish the nature of the alleged individual’s relationship with President Tinubu.
According to the firm, a smear campaign against Dr Von Batten began after the offers were rejected.
It said it would submit details of the alleged $3 million offer and related communications to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The firm said the move was intended to protect Dr Von Batten’s reputation and enable the appropriate authorities to review the matter.
“A few days ago, Dr Von Batten received unsolicited offers of $3 million, along with an invitation to a confidential meeting in London, from a highly placed individual whom we have been informed is connected to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
“We believe these offers were an attempt to persuade Dr Von Batten to end our campaign concerning President Tinubu’s alleged heroin-trafficking records.
“We have a simple message for President Tinubu, Nigeria’s ruling party, All Progressives Congress, APC, and their associates. Thank you for the offer, but no thanks,” the firm wrote.
