A public disagreement has erupted between former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani and Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, over the opposition’s decision to hire a United States lobbying firm to seek the release of records relating to President Bola Tinubu’s alleged drug trafficking case.
The exchange followed reports that Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., a Washington-based lobbying firm retained by Atiku, had begun circulating United States Department of Justice (DOJ) records concerning the matter to officials in the administration of Donald Trump, members of Congress and senior congressional aides.
Reacting on his X account, Shehu Sani described the move as unpatriotic, warning that it could damage Nigeria’s international image. According to the former lawmaker, engaging foreign lobby groups to portray the President and his administration negatively before the US government could have unintended diplomatic consequences.
He argued that such actions might not achieve their intended objective but could expose Nigeria to reputational damage, possible sanctions and stricter visa restrictions affecting ordinary Nigerians. Sani also insisted that opposition parties should pursue political power through democratic processes within Nigeria rather than seeking foreign involvement in domestic political disputes.
Responding shortly afterward, Paul Ibe dismissed Sani’s criticism, maintaining that retaining a lobbying firm was neither unusual nor inappropriate. He argued that lobbying is a legitimate political tool, particularly when, in his view, democratic institutions are under pressure. Ibe further alleged that the Tinubu administration had previously spent public funds on lobbying activities in the United States, claiming that about $9 million had been paid to a US lobbying firm months earlier.
The Atiku aide maintained that Nigerians deserved access to records allegedly held by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning Tinubu.
He referenced the President’s previous forfeiture of $460,000 to US authorities over alleged drug-related activities, insisting that citizens have a right to know every relevant detail about anyone occupying or seeking the nation’s highest office. According to Ibe, if there is “nothing to hide,” there should be no opposition to making the documents public.
Beyond the policy disagreement, Ibe ended his response with a personal message directed at Shehu Sani. He referenced what he described as an unresolved matter dating back to Sani’s tenure as chairman of the Senate ad hoc committee that investigated former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
While declining to provide further details publicly, Ibe urged the former senator to fulfil what he called an outstanding commitment, saying he hoped the issue would not become a subject of public discussion. The exchange has added another layer to the ongoing political debate surrounding the opposition’s international lobbying efforts and renewed calls for the release of US records relating to President Tinubu.
