Tinubu’s civil forfeiture case has long been resolved, Presidency tells Atiku

The Presidency has accused former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of acting in bad faith by allegedly sponsoring a lobbying campaign in the United States against President Bola Tinubu.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga made the allegation in a statement posted on his X account, where he criticised Atiku over reports that a US-based lobbying group acting on his behalf submitted petitions to President Donald Trump and the US State Department concerning President Tinubu’s 1993 civil forfeiture case.

According to Onanuga, the matter was resolved more than three decades ago and has no criminal conviction against Tinubu.

He argued that revisiting the issue amounts to an attempt to rewrite history and undermine the outcome of Nigeria’s democratic process.

“It is baffling and disappointing that someone who has sought the presidency for over three decades now resorts to reporting the President of Nigeria to US President Donald Trump and members of the US Congress,” Onanuga said.

He maintained that the forfeiture case had been extensively litigated and was rendered irrelevant by Tinubu’s electoral victories and subsequent judicial decisions.

“This 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 by the people of Lagos and Nigeria at large. Reviving this matter today is an affront to the intelligence of Nigerians and an attempt to rewrite history for personal gain,” he stated.

The presidential spokesman further argued that taking complaints against Nigeria’s President to a foreign government undermines the country’s sovereignty and is inconsistent with the conduct expected of a statesman.

According to him, while lobbying is a legitimate aspect of American politics, engaging foreign lobbyists to promote what he described as discredited allegations against a sitting Nigerian president amounts to an attempt to internationalise domestic political disputes.

Onanuga also alleged that Atiku spent $1.2 million on the lobbying effort and challenged the former vice president to explain aspects of his own legal history in the United States.

He claimed Atiku featured in the William Jefferson bribery scandal and was among the subjects of a 2010 US Senate investigation into foreign corruption, alleging that the report documented the movement of suspect funds into the United States through offshore companies.

The Presidency also accused Atiku of overseeing a flawed privatisation programme during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, alleging that national assets were sold below value to associates, resulting in widespread job losses and unpaid pensions.

Onanuga further claimed that Atiku’s ambition to become president was driven by personal interests rather than national development, alleging that he was seeking diplomatic immunity to avoid potential legal challenges abroad.

He added that reviving allegations previously raised during the 2023 presidential election would not improve Atiku’s chances in the 2027 polls.

The presidential aide said President Tinubu remains focused on implementing his Renewed Hope Agenda, stabilising the economy, attracting investment, improving national security and strengthening Nigeria’s international standing.

He insisted that the President would not be distracted by what he described as Atiku’s political tactics or lobbying efforts abroad.

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