The Presidency has launched a fresh criticism of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of lobbying the United States government against President Bola Tinubu while reviving past corruption allegations linked to the former presidential candidate.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, alleged that Atiku had prioritised his presidential ambition over national interest by reportedly seeking foreign intervention in Nigeria’s domestic political affairs.
The statement, titled “When Will Atiku Abubakar Report Himself to President Trump?”, criticised reports that Atiku and his associates petitioned US President Donald Trump, members of the US Congress, and the US State Departmentover President Tinubu’s decades-old legal matters in the United States.
According to the Presidency, the issues surrounding Tinubu’s 1993 civil forfeiture case were resolved more than 30 years ago and did not result in any criminal conviction.
“The issue was resolved over 30 years ago in the United States and has been thoroughly litigated, explained and rendered moot by the electoral mandates conferred on President Bola Tinubu,” the statement said.
The Presidency argued that Nigeria’s political disagreements should not be taken before foreign governments, describing the reported lobbying campaign as an attempt to undermine the country’s sovereignty.
“It is important to remind Atiku and his associates that Nigeria is a sovereign nation, not a satellite of any foreign power,” the statement added.
The Presidency also alleged that Atiku spent $1.2 million on American lobbyists and challenged him to explain his own legal history in the United States.
Reviving previous allegations, the statement claimed that Atiku was prominently mentioned in the William Jefferson bribery scandal, which led to the imprisonment of former US Congressman William Jefferson.
It further referenced a 2010 US Senate investigation titled Keeping Foreign Corruption Out of the United States: Four Case Histories, alleging that Atiku and his former wife, Jennifer Douglas, were examined in connection with claims involving offshore companies and the movement of funds into the United States.
The Presidency also criticised Atiku’s role during Nigeria’s privatisation programme, alleging that national assets were sold below value to associates, while accusing the former vice president of pursuing the presidency for personal interests.
In one of its strongest remarks, the statement claimed that Atiku’s repeated presidential ambitions were driven by a desire to obtain diplomatic immunity and avoid potential legal challenges abroad.
Concluding the statement, the Presidency said President Tinubu remains focused on implementing his Renewed Hope Agenda, improving the economy, attracting investment and strengthening national security, rather than engaging in political disputes.
STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT
WHEN WILL ATIKU ABUBAKAR REPORT HIMSELF TO PRESIDENT TRUMP?
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s relentless desire to become President of Nigeria has regrettably closed his eyes to the virtues of statesmanship, decorum, and propriety expected of an… pic.twitter.com/tg3QCc5ibY
— Bayo Onanuga, OON, CON (@aonanuga1956) July 23, 2026
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