Atiku-hired firm alleges rising intimidation, politically motivated prosecutions, and shrinking democratic space ahead of 2027 elections

A United States-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has accused the Nigerian government of targeting political opponents and suppressing dissent, saying it will take the matter to American authorities, including former President Donald Trump.

The firm, retained by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, said it is raising alarm over what it described as growing political intimidation and a shrinking democratic space as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

In a statement posted on its official X account on Monday, the firm alleged that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is showing “authoritarian tendencies,” claiming it is consolidating power through fear and intimidation.

According to the group, there is an emerging pattern of arrests, detentions, and prosecutions directed at critics of the government. It said it is currently monitoring several cases it believes may be politically motivated.

The firm cited the legal challenges involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and businessman John Olatunde Ayeni as examples. It alleged that El-Rufai was charged after publicly criticising President Tinubu, while Ayeni has faced legal pressure following his own criticism of the administration.

It argued that these cases reflect a broader trend in which dissenting voices are increasingly under pressure. The group further claimed that beyond high-profile individuals, ordinary Nigerians are also being affected, alleging incidents of arrests, intimidation, and abuse that often go unnoticed internationally.

As part of its advocacy, the firm said it plans to brief US policymakers, including members of Congress, on what it described as the “weaponisation of state institutions” to silence opposition figures ahead of the next presidential election.

The claims come amid ongoing controversy surrounding El-Rufai’s detention. The former governor has reportedly spent over three months in custody despite being granted ₦100 million bail by a Federal High Court in a national security-related case. However, he remains in detention following a separate order by a Kaduna State High Court in connection with a corruption case being handled by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).