US Firm Accuses Tinubu of Plotting to Rig 2027 Presidential Election
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been accused by a United States-based political advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, of allegedly working to influence the outcome of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
The firm made the allegation in a statement published on its verified X account on Saturday.
It claimed that the Tinubu administration was using state institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, to weaken opposition parties ahead of the election.
The firm also alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was being used to target political opponents of the President.
According to the organisation, the alleged actions formed part of a wider effort to restrict opposition politicians and create an uneven political environment before the 2027 presidential poll.
“We have made it clear to members of the US President Trump Administration and the Congress that Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is actively working to rig the upcoming Nigerian presidential election.
“The latest attempt by President Tinubu and his associates is to use Nigerian law enforcement, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to eliminate political opponents.
“An individual connected to President Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress, APC, has given the EFCC the extraordinary ultimatum of 14 days to arrest opposing presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
“The US is monitoring the Nigerian election process. Nevertheless, we plan to brief them and Congress on this latest attempt by Tinubu to use the EFCC to rig the election.
“It is in the interests of the US for Nigeria to undergo a free and fair election, and all persons and organizations seeking to disrupt the process should be held accountable,” the firm stated.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to contest the election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has emerged as one of the major opposition figures challenging Tinubu.
Von Batten-Montague-York has been working with Atiku under a 12-month agreement reportedly valued at $1.2 million.
Documents filed with the United States Department of Justice show that the arrangement covers government affairs, strategic advisory services and efforts to strengthen Atiku’s standing within American policy circles.
The firm has since become increasingly vocal about developments in Nigeria, particularly issues concerning the 2027 election and the treatment of opposition politicians.
In its latest statement, the organisation focused on an alleged move involving the EFCC and Atiku.
The US firm said it had already raised concerns about Nigeria with officials in the administration of US President Donald Trump and members of the US Congress.
It maintained that Washington was paying attention to Nigeria’s electoral process and suggested that alleged attempts to manipulate the 2027 election could attract international scrutiny.
However, the allegations have not been independently established as fact. They represent the position of the lobbying firm, which has a contractual relationship with Atiku.
The firm has also previously threatened to recommend sanctions against Nigerian electoral officials and politicians accused of interfering with the electoral process.
In April 2026, it said individuals involved in manipulating elections could be brought to the attention of the US administration and Congress for possible measures, including travel restrictions and asset freezes.
In a related development, the Presidency had earlier rejected allegations coming from Von Batten-Montague-York, describing the firm’s claims against Tinubu as politically motivated.
On September 1, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, dismissed reports emanating from the Washington-based firm concerning Tinubu and alleged US intelligence findings.
Dare said the reports were being used as part of a political campaign ahead of the 2027 election.
He linked the activities of the firm to Atiku’s engagement of the organisation and questioned the suggestion that its statements represented the official position of the United States government.
“The incendiary press releases being carefully churned out from Washington are public relations propaganda sheets passed off as the view of the U.S. Government. They are not,” Dare said.
The presidential aide challenged those behind the allegations to publish documentary evidence supporting claims about alleged US intelligence reports concerning Tinubu.
He also pointed to Atiku’s reported $1.2 million, 12-month agreement with Von Batten-Montague-York, arguing that the firm’s activities should be viewed in the context of the former vice president’s political contest with Tinubu.
The Presidency has maintained that the lobbying firm’s activities do not amount to an official position of the US government.
