A United States lobby firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has accused President Bola Tinubu of using the judiciary, security forces and hired thugs to ban or silence political opponents in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
In a statement posted on its verified X handle on Saturday, the firm named the political opponents as the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, counterpart, Peter Obi.
According to the firm, the United States Congress and President Donald Trump are watching.
It warned President Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to either allow Nigerians to participate in free and fair elections or face the consequences.
"Are we the only ones who think Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, is simply amazing?
"During the recent congressional hearing on Nigeria, Congressman Smith directly called out the lies, corruption, and manipulation of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu's administration.
"The corrupt Tinubu administration faces serious allegations of complicity in the killings of Christians and Muslims across Nigeria, as well as allegations of ongoing plans to rig the upcoming Nigerian presidential election by using its agents in the Nigerian judiciary, security forces, or hired thugs to either ban or murder political opponents such as Atiku and Peter Obi.
"Our message to President Tinubu, officials of INEC, and members of the Nigerian judiciary and security forces is straightforward: The United States Congress and President Donald Trump are watching. You can either allow Nigerians to participate in free and fair elections or face the consequences. The choice is yours," the firm tweeted.
2027: Tinubu using judiciary, security forces, hired thugs to silence Atiku, Peter Obi - US firm