US-based lobbying group Von Batten-Montague-York has warned President Bola Tinubu and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo that Federal High Court judgment voiding Atiku Abubakar presidential candidacy will become their political undoing.
Group threatened to present what it described as evidence of election interference to administration of Donald Trump and US Congress escalating tension over Nigeria 2027 polls.
In statement posted on verified X handle Thursday firm alleged judgment sacking David Mark-led leadership of African Democratic Congress ADC was not routine judicial decision but politically motivated maneuver orchestrated by Tinubu government.
“The court case nullifying Atiku will be your doom. You celebrated too early. Washington is watching,” firm warned Tinubu and Keyamo.
Firm singled out Keyamo saying his portfolio as Aviation Minister has no connection to elections or electoral integrity. It claimed Keyamo celebration of ruling on social media was described by senior congressional staffer as “open display of election interference by Nigerian government.”
“We are going to be presenting @X post of @fkeyamo President Tinubu Minister of Aviation whose government portfolio has nothing to do with elections or electoral integrity openly celebrating what senior congressional staffer described as ‘open display of election interference by Nigerian government’ to members of @realDonaldTrump administration and Congress,” firm said.
Lobby firm added Tinubu would eventually look back on ruling and Keyamo post as “defining moment when rope United States has been giving you to figuratively hang yourself finally became instrument of your own political downfall.”
Core of allegation is claim court ruling timed to coincide with and counter momentum from Atiku campaign rally in Sokoto. Firm alleged Tinubu officials held late-night meeting Wednesday after massive turnout for Atiku in Sokoto and judgment was outcome of meeting.
“Apparently scared by yesterday turnout in support of former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar who happens to be President Tinubu main political opponent Tinubu officials reportedly met last night and result of that meeting is allegedly this highly suspicious court ruling,” firm stated.
Firm offered no documentary evidence to support claim such meeting took place or that it connected to Justice Peter Lifu judgment. It said it was “gathering more information” and would engage senior officials of Trump administration as well as Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Congress.
Firm described timing as ill-advised given Washington dynamics noting angry Republican caucus controls Congress until January 2027 and Democrats preparing to investigate Tinubu mining Memorandum of Understanding.
It warned alleged actions risk “pushing Nigeria closer to political unrest with dire consequences for US interests and regional stability.”
