Drug trafficking: Tinubu faces fresh pressure as Atiku’s US lobbying firm intensifies records release push

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing fresh pressure over allegations of drug trafficking as a United States-based lobbying firm linked to former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, vowed to intensify efforts to secure the release of records concerning the allegations.

Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., which was reportedly hired by Atiku for $2.1 million to boost his reputation and counter Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, made the commitment in a statement posted on X on Tuesday.

The firm said the administration of former US President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ) had fought the release of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records concerning allegations involving Tinubu.

It, however, said the DOJ under President Donald Trump would not protect anyone allegedly linked to drug trafficking.

According to the firm, the records relate to allegations that Tinubu was involved in heroin trafficking from Nigeria through Illinois to Indiana.

Von Batten-Montague-York also accused the Biden administration of focusing on Trump while resisting the release of records concerning Tinubu.

The firm said it appreciated Trump, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, members of the Trump administration and Congress for refusing to follow what it described as the previous administration’s approach to the FOIA records.

“Unlike President Joe Biden’s DOJ, which fought the release of FOIA records concerning drug-trafficking allegations involving Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, the DOJ under President Donald Trump will never protect an alleged drug trafficker linked to the smuggling of heroin from Nigeria through Illinois to Indiana,” the firm said.

Nigerian Newssphere recalls that United States District Judge Beryl Howell on Tuesday gave Trump-appointed US Attorney Jeanine Pirro four additional days to release the drug-trafficking records concerning Tinubu.

However, Tinubu has joined the U.S. Department of Justice’s request for a 10-day extension to respond to a motion seeking the

The development followed a legal battle over the release of the records, with the documents attracting renewed attention ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.

Atiku, who is seeking the ADC presidential ticket for the 2027 election, had engaged Von Batten-Montague-York in a reported $2.1 million lobbying arrangement aimed at improving his public image in the United States and countering Tinubu’s political influence.

The renewed push for the release of the records could therefore intensify political pressure on Tinubu as opposition figures and their allies continue to focus on allegations surrounding his past.

Tinubu has consistently denied wrongdoing, while the allegations remain politically contentious. The release of any US records would provide further details on what the documents contain and whether they substantiate the allegations.