Atiku’s aide tackles Shehu Sani for condemning US lobbying against Tinubu
Disagreement Erupts Over Lobbying Firm’s Role in Document Release
A public disagreement unfolded Wednesday between former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani and Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, regarding the opposition’s decision to hire a U.S.-based lobbying firm. The firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has been tasked with advocating for the release of documents relating to President Bola Tinubu’s alleged drug trafficking case.
This exchange occurred following reports that the lobbying firm had begun disseminating records from the U.S. Department of Justice concerning allegations against Tinubu to officials in the Trump administration and various members of Congress.
Sani took to his account on social media platform X to denounce the decision, labeling it “unpatriotic” and detrimental to Nigeria’s international reputation. He expressed concern that such actions could lead to adverse diplomatic repercussions without accomplishing the desired goals.
“Engaging U.S. lobby groups to criminalize the President and his administration is unconscionable and unpatriotic,” he stated. Sani cautioned that the move could tarnish Nigeria’s international standing and potentially result in sanctions and visa restrictions, emphasizing that opposition parties should pursue their political aims within the nation’s democratic framework.
Sani urged the opposition to “fight and struggle for power within the borders of our country,” asserting that seeking foreign assistance for regime change is inappropriate in a democratic setting.
In response, Ibe defended the decision to retain the lobbying firm, asserting that there is nothing improper about such actions, particularly in the face of what he described as a dictatorship. He pointed out that the Tinubu administration had previously expended public funds on lobbying efforts in the U.S., referencing a $9 million expenditure six months prior.
Ibe contended that the core issue lies in the allegation concerning Tinubu’s forfeiture of $460,000 to U.S. authorities connected to drug trafficking allegations. He argued that Nigerians have a right to access the FBI and DOJ records related to the President.
“Do Nigerians deserve to know what is in the FBI and DOJ files about Tinubu? Yes. Nigerians are entitled to know everything about their President or a prospective President,” Ibe asserted.
Ibe also urged supporters of Tinubu to facilitate the release of the documents if there is “nothing to hide.” He concluded his remarks by referencing what he called “unfinished business” from Sani’s tenure as chairman of a Senate investigative committee that examined former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
“I encourage you to honor your outstanding commitment to me. I don’t want it to be a subject of public discussion,” Ibe wrote.
