The Presidency has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to explain his own legal history in the United States after his lobbying group reportedly submitted petitions to US President Donald Trump and the US State Department over President Bola Tinubu’s 1993 civil forfeiture case.

In a statement on Thursday titled “When Will Atiku Abubakar Report Himself To President Trump?”, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accused Atiku of pursuing personal political ambitions at the expense of Nigeria’s image.

Onanuga described Atiku’s decision to petition American authorities over the matter as inappropriate, arguing that the issue had been resolved more than three decades ago.

“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,” the statement said.

According to the Presidency, the forfeiture case was “resolved over 30 years ago in the United States” and had already been addressed politically and legally in Nigeria.

“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,” Onanuga said.

The statement added: “Reporting the President of Nigeria to another country’s leader is not only inappropriate but also undermines the nation’s dignity and independence.”

The Presidency also criticised the use of foreign lobbyists in Nigeria’s domestic politics.

“While lobbying is a legitimate part of American politics, employing paid foreign agents to peddle discredited documents against a sitting Nigerian President is not advocacy—it is an attempt to externalise domestic politics and undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty,” the statement said.

Onanuga further alleged that Atiku should address questions surrounding his own record in the United States.

“Furthermore, if Atiku Abubakar can spend $1.2 million on American lobbyists to report President Tinubu, perhaps he should also clarify his own legal standing in the United States,” he said.

The statement referenced the William Jefferson bribery scandal and a 2010 US Senate investigation, alleging that Atiku and his former wife, Jennifer Douglas, were subjects of the inquiry.

The Presidency also accused the former vice president of focusing on political campaigns instead of presenting solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.

“The challenges Nigeria faces require serious engagement, thoughtful solutions, and leadership at home—not grandstanding abroad,” the statement said.

Onanuga maintained that President Tinubu remained focused on governance despite the criticisms.

“President Tinubu is unfazed by Atiku’s theatrics as he remains focused on his Renewed Hope Agenda, stabilising the economy, attracting investments, securing the nation, and restoring Nigeria’s standing in the world,” the statement added. (AriseNews TV)

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