GistReel
A United States-based political advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has warned that the US cannot afford to allow President Bola Tinubu to rig Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The firm made the claim in a post on its verified X account on Thursday, arguing that free and fair elections in Nigeria are important to US interests in the country and the wider West African region.
Von Batten-Montague-York also alleged that there is growing concern across political lines over corruption within the Nigerian government under Tinubu.
The firm further claimed that Tinubu appointed a serving minister responsible for the national budget despite an alleged previous connection to the embezzlement of funds from Nigeria’s treasury. However, it did not provide supporting documentation for the allegation in its latest post.
“The US cannot afford to allow President Tinubu to rig the upcoming Nigerian election,” the firm stated.
It added that what it described as “lawlessness” in Nigeria could put the country on a path similar to Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, while stressing that free and fair elections would be essential to protecting US interests in Nigeria and the broader region.
The latest statement comes amid the firm’s series of public claims concerning Nigeria’s 2027 electoral process.
Earlier this month, it alleged that Tinubu was using state institutions, including INEC, the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, against opposition parties and candidates, but it did not provide evidence in its post.
However, Von Batten-Montague-York is a private lobbying and policy advisory firm and its statements should not be interpreted as official US government positions.