TDA United States-based Republican lobbying and public affairs firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has intensified its criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The firm declared that it will continue its campaign until President Tinubu’s name is “added to the list of heads of state indicted by the United States for drug trafficking,” alongside former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, former Panamanian military ruler Manuel Noriega, and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The remarks were made in a statement shared on the social media platform X following meetings with members of the U.S. Congress.
Congressional Engagement
According to the firm, its representatives held discussions with members of Congress and expressed appreciation to Congressman Chris Smith for raising concerns about the Tinubu administration during a congressional hearing titled “UN Accountability and Reform: Advancing an America First Foreign Policy.”
The firm said the hearing provided an opportunity to highlight what it described as concerns regarding the Nigerian government’s record.
Response to Tinubu’s Criticism
The statement also addressed recent criticisms from President Tinubu’s camp over the firm’s engagement by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
According to the firm, President Tinubu had portrayed its lobbying activities in Washington as an attack on Nigeria.
The organization rejected that characterization, arguing that its advocacy is directed at allegations concerning the President rather than the Nigerian state or its citizens.
The firm maintained that raising questions about alleged criminal conduct should not be interpreted as being unpatriotic or anti-Nigerian.
Fresh Allegations
In its strongly worded statement, the lobbying firm reiterated long-standing allegations linking President Tinubu to heroin trafficking activities dating back several decades—claims that have remained the subject of political controversy in Nigeria.
The group asserted that ordinary Nigerians should not be associated with the allegations against the President, emphasizing that Nigerians are hardworking people who should not be defined by claims made against any individual.
The statement further contrasted Tinubu with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing Atiku as “a statesman” while alleging that Tinubu and unnamed associates were involved in heroin trafficking.
The firm claimed it would continue lobbying U.S. policymakers until President Tinubu is formally added to what it described as the list of world leaders indicted by the United States for drug trafficking.
Background
President Tinubu has consistently denied wrongdoing in relation to past allegations connected to a U.S. civil forfeiture case from the early 1990s.
His supporters have repeatedly argued that he has never been convicted of any criminal offence in the United States or Nigeria.
The renewed remarks by the U.S.-based lobbying firm come amid an increasingly heated political environment ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with both domestic and international narratives continuing to shape public debate.
As of the time of reporting, the Nigerian Presidency had not issued a fresh response to the firm’s latest statement.
The allegations remain disputed, and no new criminal indictment against President Tinubu has been announced by U.S. authorities.
