A political controversy has erupted over an alleged $3 million offer reportedly made to Von Batten in an apparent attempt to halt a campaign concerning allegations involving President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement attributed to him, Von Batten alleged that he received unsolicited offers amounting to $3 million, alongside an invitation to a confidential meeting in London, from what he described as a ‘highly placed individual’ whom he had been informed was connected to President Tinubu.
According to the statement, Von Batten claimed the approach was believed to be an attempt to persuade him to discontinue his campaign relating to what he described as President Tinubu’s alleged heroin-trafficking records.
Von Batten further alleged that he rejected the offer and preserved copies of the communications.
He stated that he subsequently contacted members of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s campaign to establish the nature of the alleged intermediary’s relationship with the Nigerian president.
He also alleged that a smear campaign against him began shortly after he rejected the proposal.
The allegations, however, have not been independently verified. The identity of the individual said to have made the offer was not disclosed in the statement, and there was no publicly presented evidence establishing that the alleged approach was authorised by President Tinubu or his administration.
Von Batten said he intends to provide the alleged $3 million offer and related communications to the US Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for review.
The development could add another layer to the continuing political disputes surrounding allegations concerning President Tinubu, particularly as the claims intersect with Nigeria’s domestic political contest and scrutiny from actors in the United States.
Von Batten concluded his statement by addressing Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress and their associates, saying: ‘Thank you for the offer, but no thanks.’
The allegations are likely to attract further attention if the purported communications are formally submitted to US authorities or independently authenticated.