A United States-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has claimed it is engaging American authorities over alleged human rights concerns and what it described as increasing political intimidation in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The lobbying firm, reportedly hired by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, made the claims in a statement posted on its official X account on Monday.
According to the firm, the administration of President Bola Tinubu is allegedly showing signs of authoritarianism and shrinking democratic space.
The group accused the Nigerian government of displaying “the behaviour of a single-party dictatorship consolidating power through fear and intimidation.”
In its statement, the firm alleged that critics of the current administration are increasingly facing arrests, detention, and prosecution.
“Across Nigeria, public figures and ordinary citizens who criticise the current government are suddenly being arrested, detained, or charged with corruption,” the statement read.
The organisation further claimed that it was monitoring several cases it considers politically motivated.
Among the cases referenced were the ongoing legal troubles involving former Nasir El-Rufai and businessman John Olatunde Ayeni.
The lobbying firm argued that there appears to be a broader pattern of pressure against individuals perceived as critics of the government.
“The common thread is becoming difficult to ignore: critics of the Tinubu government are increasingly being targeted,” the group stated.
The organisation also alleged that beyond high-profile political figures, ordinary Nigerians are facing intimidation and abuse without attracting international attention.
“Thousands of ordinary Nigerians with no public profile are being arrested, beaten, intimidated, or disappearing without international attention,” the statement added.
The firm disclosed that it plans to brief the administration of United States President Donald Trump as well as members of the U.S. Congress on what it described as “the growing weaponisation of state institutions to silence dissent ahead of the next presidential election.”
The statement comes amid continued controversy surrounding the detention and legal battles involving El-Rufai.
The former Kaduna governor reportedly remains in custody despite being granted ₦100 million bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja in connection with an alleged national security-related case.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had reportedly imposed strict bail conditions, including the presentation of a senior civil servant as surety and submission of property-related documents.
However, El-Rufai is still being held due to a separate corruption-related matter after a Kaduna State High Court reportedly ordered that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The allegations by the U.S.-based lobbying firm are likely to deepen political debates over governance, civil liberties, and the state of democracy in Nigeria as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections continue to intensify.
