A United States-based policy advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has alleged that an individual it described as being closely connected to President Bola Tinubu offered $3 million to persuade the firm to discontinue its campaign over alleged drug-trafficking records involving the Nigerian president.

The firm disclosed the allegation in a statement posted on its verified X handle on Wednesday, claiming that the offer was accompanied by an invitation to a confidential meeting in London.

According to Von Batten-Montague-York, its leader, Dr Von Batten, rejected the offer and retained copies of the communications exchanged with the individual.

The firm further claimed that it subsequently contacted members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s campaign to ascertain the nature of the individual’s alleged relationship with Tinubu.

It alleged that following the rejection of the purported offer, a smear campaign was launched against Dr Von Batten.

The firm said it would submit the alleged $3 million offer and related communications to the United States Department of Justice, DOJ, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, for appropriate review.

“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,” the firm stated.

“We believe these offers were an attempt to persuade Dr Von Batten to end our campaign concerning President Tinubu’s alleged heroin-trafficking records.”

The firm added: “We have a simple message for President Tinubu, Nigeria’s ruling party, All Progressives Congress, APC, and their associates. Thank you for the offer, but no thanks.”

The allegations come amid renewed political and legal controversies surrounding claims about Tinubu’s past and alleged links to narcotics trafficking. The president has consistently denied wrongdoing, while previous legal proceedings and public debates over the allegations have generated strong political reactions in Nigeria