A US-based advocacy and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has alleged that the American government rejected efforts by President Bola Tinubu to secure a meeting with US President Donald Trump ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
The firm claimed that Tinubu’s planned attendance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) was partly aimed at meeting Trump and obtaining his endorsement ahead of the election.
In a statement posted on its verified X account, the firm alleged that the proposed engagement had been rejected by the US government.
It further claimed that any anticipated endorsement of Tinubu by Trump was now “dead”, along with the proposed White House meeting.
According to the firm, efforts to secure the meeting had cost Nigerian taxpayers $9 million. It also alleged that Tinubu had effectively been told that he was a “liability” to the United States.
The claim comes after the Nigerian government confirmed that Tinubu would not attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima expected to represent Nigeria at the event.
