Von Batten-Montague-York says it has raised concerns with the Trump administration and US Congress, alleging pressure on opposition figures ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential poll.

A United States-based political advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of attempting to influence Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election by allegedly using government institutions against opposition politicians.

The firm made the allegation in a statement published on its verified X account on Saturday, claiming that the administration was using institutions including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to put pressure on opposition parties and potential presidential candidates.

Von Batten-Montague-York described what it called evidence of the alleged interference as “undisputed,” although the statement did not provide detailed documentation or independently verifiable evidence to substantiate all of the claims.

The lobbying firm said it had already brought its concerns to the attention of members of US President Donald Trump’s administration as well as members of the US Congress.

It further alleged that associates of President Tinubu were using the EFCC as part of an effort to weaken political opponents ahead of the 2027 election.

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According to the firm, an individual linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had allegedly issued the EFCC a 14-day ultimatum to arrest former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to be a major opposition figure in the 2027 presidential contest.

The firm did not identify the individual it was referring to in the statement or provide further details about the alleged ultimatum.

“The US is monitoring the Nigerian election process. Nevertheless, we plan to brief them and Congress on this latest attempt by Tinubu to use the EFCC to rig the election,” the firm said.

The lobbying group said Washington had a stake in ensuring that Nigeria’s next presidential election was conducted transparently, arguing that a credible electoral process would serve both Nigeria’s democratic interests and those of the United States.

“A free and fair election in Nigeria is in the interest of the United States,” the firm said, adding that individuals or institutions seeking to undermine the process should be held accountable.

The allegations come as Nigeria’s political parties and potential presidential contenders begin positioning themselves for the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures increasingly scrutinising the activities of electoral and law-enforcement agencies.

President Tinubu and the APC have not, in the statement referenced, been shown to have responded to the specific allegations made by Von Batten-Montague-York.

The EFCC and INEC have also not been cited as having responded to the firm's claims.

INEC is constitutionally responsible for organising and conducting federal elections in Nigeria, while the EFCC is mandated to investigate and prosecute financial and economic crimes. Any allegation that either institution is being used for partisan political purposes would therefore carry significant implications for public confidence in the electoral process.

The 2027 election is expected to be closely contested, with the political landscape already witnessing realignments among opposition politicians and parties seeking to challenge the APC.

Atiku, a former vice president and perennial presidential contender, remains one of the prominent opposition figures whose political activities are being closely watched ahead of the election.

With the 2027 contest approaching, concerns over the independence of electoral and state institutions are likely to remain a major issue, particularly as political parties begin selecting candidates and mobilising supporters across the country.

For now, however, the claims by Von Batten-Montague-York remain allegations and would require independent verification and responses from the institutions and individuals named before they can be established as fact.