ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A United States-based lobbying firm hired by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of suppressing dissent and weakening democratic freedoms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., made the allegation in a statement posted on its official X handle, claiming that the Nigerian government was increasingly operating like a “single-party dictatorship” sustained through intimidation and fear.
According to the lobby group, critics of the current administration, including prominent political figures and ordinary citizens, are allegedly being arrested, detained or subjected to corruption investigations after speaking against the government.
The organisation specifically referenced the legal troubles involving former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that his prosecution followed public criticism of President Tinubu.
It also mentioned businessman John Olatunde Ayeni, claiming he had faced legal pressure after allegedly criticising the government.
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The firm argued that a pattern was emerging in which opposition voices and dissenting figures were increasingly becoming targets of state institutions.
It further alleged that many ordinary Nigerians without public visibility were also facing intimidation, unlawful arrests and harassment without attracting international attention.
The US-based organisation warned that it would brief the administration of US President Donald Trump and members of the US Congress on what it described as the “weaponisation” of Nigerian state institutions ahead of the next presidential election.
The allegations come amid heightened political tension surrounding El-Rufai’s continued detention despite a Federal High Court ruling granting him bail in an alleged national security-related case.
Although the court approved bail with strict conditions, the former governor has remained in custody over a separate corruption matter linked to an order by a Kaduna State High Court directing that he remain with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC).
His prolonged detention has continued to generate criticism from family members, political associates and supporters, some of whom recently staged protests at the headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja.