Matawalle Accuses Opposition of Using Foreign Lobbying to Undermine Tinubu’s Government

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has renewed accusations against opposition figures, saying attempts to draw foreign actors into Nigeria’s domestic politics will not distract President Bola Tinubu from governance.

The remarks come as the Presidency continues to clash with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over reports that a Washington-based lobbying firm engaged by him, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has been distributing United States Department of Justice records relating to a 1993 civil forfeiture case involving Tinubu to officials in the Trump administration, members of Congress and congressional aides. Atiku reportedly hired the firm in March under a 12-month, $1.2 million contract.

Reacting on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the move as an attempt to internationalise Nigeria’s domestic politics, calling it self-defeating and unbecoming of a statesman.

Matawalle has consistently linked such moves to a wider pattern of opposition-driven misinformation targeting the administration. In a statement issued through his Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, the minister said no amount of propaganda, misinformation or politically motivated attacks by opposition elements would distract President Tinubu from delivering on his mandate to Nigerians.

The row has also drawn reaction from within opposition ranks. Former lawmaker Shehu Sani criticised the decision to hire a US lobbying firm, warning that it could tarnish Nigeria’s international reputation and strain diplomatic ties. Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, rejected the criticism, defending the decision to retain the firm.

The Presidency maintains that the 1993 case, a civil matter, was resolved decades ago with no criminal conviction against Tinubu, and had already been tested in Nigerian courts during the 2023 election litigation.

Efforts to reach Atiku’s media office for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.

The controversy is expected to remain a flashpoint ahead of the 2027 general elections, with both camps trading accusations over governance records and international perception.