Von Batten-Montague-York says world leaders may confront allegations against Nigeria’s president, while insisting Tinubu can still attend the UN General Assembly in New York.

A United States-based policy advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu could face public embarrassment if he attends the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in September.

The firm also claimed that a private meeting Tinubu has reportedly sought with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the global gathering is unlikely to happen.

Von Batten-Montague-York made the claims in a post published on its verified X account on Monday, as world leaders prepare to converge on New York for the annual UN General Assembly.

According to the firm, some members of the Trump administration have indicated that the US president would not hold a private meeting with Tinubu because of allegations linking the Nigerian leader to heroin trafficking.

The claims remain allegations and have not been established as fact by a court.

The lobbying firm, however, acknowledged that Tinubu, as the sitting president of Nigeria, has the right to travel to New York and participate in the UN General Assembly, subject to the access and transit arrangements applicable to representatives of UN member states.

“We look forward to President Tinubu attending the UNGA next month. Unfortunately for President Tinubu, he is going to be embarrassed at the UN,” the firm said.

It further claimed that leaders attending the General Assembly would be aware of allegations concerning Tinubu.

FBI Warns Release of Tinubu Drug-Related Records Could Put Informants, Agents at Risk 

https://dailyobserver.ng/fbi-warns-release-of-tinubu-drug-related-records-could-put-informants-agents-at-risk

“From reports we have seen, from South Africa to Italy, world leaders attending the UNGA will be fully aware of the heroin-trafficking allegations against President Tinubu,” the firm stated.

The group went further to say it had developed a campaign aimed at drawing public attention to the allegations if it receives authorisation to proceed.

“If we are authorised, we will put into operation our plan to ensure every New Yorker within a six-mile radius of UN Headquarters learns about President Tinubu’s alleged role in smuggling poison (heroin) onto American soil,” it said.

The statement comes amid renewed controversy in the United States over records and allegations concerning Tinubu's alleged links to drug-trafficking investigations.

Tinubu has consistently denied wrongdoing and has rejected allegations linking him to illicit drug trafficking.

The Nigerian president is expected to participate in high-level diplomatic engagements at the UNGA, where heads of state and government traditionally address the General Debate and hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders.

A private meeting between Trump and Tinubu, if it takes place, would likely attract significant attention given the diplomatic and political importance of US-Nigeria relations.

However, the lobbying firm's claim that such a meeting will not happen has not been independently confirmed by the White House or the Nigerian presidency.

The UN General Assembly remains one of the most important diplomatic gatherings of the year, bringing together leaders from nearly every UN member state to discuss global security, economic development, climate change, international cooperation and other major issues.

For Tinubu, attendance would provide an opportunity to present Nigeria's position on global issues and pursue bilateral engagements with foreign governments and international institutions.

The latest claims by Von Batten-Montague-York are therefore likely to add another layer of controversy to the Nigerian president's anticipated appearance in New York.