Civil rights activist and former Senator, Comrade Shehu Sani, has criticised presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, over the engagement of a United States lobbying firm to circulate documents relating to President Bola Tinubu’s past US forfeiture case, describing the move as unconscionable and unpatriotic.
Sani, in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, argued that involving foreign lobby groups to portray the President and his administration negatively before the US government could damage Nigeria’s international reputation and have adverse consequences for ordinary citizens.
The civil rights activist warned that such actions could escalate global distrust of Nigerians and expose the country to sanctions or visa restrictions.
He wrote, “Engaging US lobby groups to criminalise the President and his administration and curry favour from the US Government is unconscionable and unpatriotic.
“It may not achieve its objectives but will undoubtedly damage the international reputation of the country, escalate global repudiation against our citizens and lead us into the traps of sanctions and visa restrictions.
“Most times, ordinary Nigerians end up paying the price for negative campaigns against the country.
“The opposition should fight and struggle for power within the borders of our country. Seeking for foreign help for regime change in a democratic setting is wrong.”
Sani’s comments followed reports that Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., engaged by Atiku, had begun sharing documents relating to a long-running United States forfeiture case involving Tinubu with officials in the Donald Trump’s administration, members of Congress and congressional staff.
The firm said it was distributing records from the US Department of Justice concerning allegations linked to a 1993 civil forfeiture proceeding involving funds connected to Tinubu.
Atiku reportedly engaged the lobbying firm in March under a 12-month contract valued at $1.2 million to undertake advocacy, diplomatic outreach and present his perspectives on issues concerning Nigeria-US relations.
