WASHINGTON — A United States-based policy advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has alleged that its founder, Karl Von Batten, was offered $3 million and invited to a confidential meeting in London in an attempt to persuade him to drop allegations concerning President Bola Tinubu.

The firm, which has been linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, made the claim in a statement published on its official X account on Wednesday. According to the statement, the alleged offer was made “a few days ago” by a highly placed individual whom the firm said it was informed was connected to President Tinubu.

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Von Batten-Montague-York alleged that the offer was aimed at persuading its founder to discontinue its campaign concerning what it described as allegations relating to Tinubu’s alleged heroin-trafficking records.

“A few days ago, Dr Von Batten received unsolicited offers of $3 million, along with an invitation to a confidential meeting in London, from a highly placed individual whom we have been informed is connected to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu (@officialABAT),” the firm stated.

The lobbying firm said Von Batten rejected the alleged offer and preserved copies of the messages exchanged with the individual. It further claimed that its founder contacted members of Atiku Abubakar’s campaign to establish the nature of the alleged intermediary’s relationship with President Tinubu.

According to the firm, a smear campaign against Von Batten began shortly after he rejected the alleged financial offer. It said the messages and other relevant communications would be submitted to the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for review.

The firm concluded its statement with a message directed at President Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their associates, saying: “Thank you for the offer, but no thanks.”

The allegation comes amid continuing controversy in the United States and Nigeria over claims concerning records and allegations involving President Tinubu. The claims made by Von Batten-Montague-York are allegations by the firm and do not, by themselves, establish that any such offer was made or that the alleged intermediary was acting on behalf of President Tinubu.