A United States-based policy advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has accused President Bola Tinubu of being determined to remain in office ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The firm made the allegation in a statement posted on its verified X account on Thursday, claiming that the police, judiciary, and electoral institutions were being used to suppress opposition and influence the 2027 elections.
It cited the recent arrest and prosecution of five men in Maiduguri, Borno State, over T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”
The men were charged with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbing public peace, and thuggery. They pleaded not guilty, while the court fixed October 6 for a ruling on their bail application.
The Borno State Police Command has since said the men were not arrested solely over the political message, alleging that officers also recovered suspected cannabis, tablets, a shisha pot, and other items from them during a patrol.
Amnesty International has criticized the arrests, arguing that wearing a shirt expressing political opposition should not constitute a criminal offence.
Von Batten-Montague-York also linked its latest claims to longstanding allegations concerning Tinubu and a US drug-trafficking investigation dating to the 1980s and 1990s.
However, records from a US federal court establish only that law-enforcement records concerning an alleged heroin investigation were the subject of Freedom of Information Act litigation; they do not establish that Tinubu committed heroin trafficking or money laundering.
The firm has previously campaigned for the release of the records and briefed US officials and lawmakers on the allegations. It was also registered under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act in connection with a lobbying agreement with Atiku Abubakar.
