A United States-based political advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has expressed concern over the conduct of Nigeria’s 2027 general election, urging the United States not to allow any attempt to undermine the electoral process.
The firm made the remarks in a post on X on Thursday, where it also levelled allegations against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.
According to the organisation, developments in Nigeria’s political system had raised concerns about the country’s democratic direction and the credibility of the next general election.
It alleged that the Nigerian government had shown what it described as a pattern of lawlessness, comparing the situation to political developments in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
The firm also accused President Tinubu of appointing a minister who, according to its claim, had previously been accused by the United States Department of Justice of embezzling billions of dollars from Nigeria’s treasury.
In its statement, the firm said, “It seems that, regardless of political leaning, there is a growing consensus that the Nigerian government and its leader, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu (@officialABAT), represent a bastion of corruption.”
It further alleged that Tinubu’s appointment of the unnamed individual to oversee the nation’s budget was a matter of concern.
“Shocking as it may seem, President #Tinubu appointed an individual who, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept), embezzled billions from Nigeria’s treasury during a previous Nigerian administration, to serve as Nigeria’s current minister in charge of the nation’s budget,” the firm stated.
The lobbying group then turned its attention to the 2027 election, calling for safeguards to protect the electoral process.
“The U.S. cannot afford to allow President #Tinubu to rig the upcoming Nigerian election,” it said.
The firm added that, in its view, “Free and fair elections in Nigeria are essential to protecting U.S. interests in Nigeria and the broader region.”
It also claimed that the situation in Nigeria was taking the country towards a path similar to that experienced by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
The allegations contained in the statement were made by the US-based firm and were not independently established in the material provided.
