A US-based policy advisory and lobbying firm linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has alleged that its founder, Dr Karl Von Batten, was offered $3 million to stop its campaign over allegations against President Bola Tinubu.
Von Batten-Montague-York said the offer was made “a few days ago” by a highly placed person it was told was connected to Tinubu. It said Von Batten rejected the offer, kept copies of the messages and contacted members of Atiku’s campaign about the alleged intermediary.
The firm also claimed a smear campaign against its founder began after his refusal. It said the offer and related messages would be sent to the US Department of Justice and FBI.
The firm stated: “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.”
Reacting, Tinubu’s media adviser, Sunday Dare, dismissed Von Batten’s claims as political speculation. He said Von Batten was a commercial lobbyist, not a US government official, and challenged the firm to produce evidence for its claims.
Dare also cited US FARA filings, saying Atiku retained the firm for $1.2 million over 12 months.
The firm maintained its position, saying: “We have a simple message for President Bola Tinubu, the APC, and their associates: Thank you for the offer, but no thanks,” it said.
The $3 million allegation and the claimed link to Tinubu could not be independently verified. The heroin-trafficking claims also remain unproven.
