The Presidency has launched a fresh attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alleging that he was ‘featured most prominently’ in the William Jefferson bribery scandal and other corruption-related investigations in the United States and Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also criticised Atiku for allegedly lobbying the United States government over President Bola Tinubu’s past legal matters.
The Presidency described the move as an attempt to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Presidency condemns reported petition to Donald Trump
The statement, titled “When Will Atiku Abubakar Report Himself to President Trump?”, accused Atiku of allowing his long-standing ambition to become President to overshadow the conduct expected of an elder statesman.
According to the Presidency, “Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s relentless desire to become President of Nigeria has regrettably closed his eyes to the virtues of statesmanship, decorum, and propriety expected of an elder statesman.”
It also criticised Atiku for allegedly reporting President Tinubu to US President Donald Trump and members of the US Congress.
The statement read: “It is baffling and disappointing that someone who has sought the presidency for over three decades now resorts to reporting the President of Nigeria to US President Donald Trump and members of the US Congress.”
The Presidency claimed that Atiku’s lobbying group submitted petitions to President Trump and the US State Department concerning a 1993 civil forfeiture case involving Tinubu.
It argued that the matter had already been resolved more than three decades ago without any criminal conviction or finding of guilt.
The statement added: “This issue was resolved over 30 years ago in the United States and has been thoroughly litigated, explained, and rendered moot by the electoral mandates conferred on President Bola Tinubu by the people of Lagos and Nigeria at large.”
‘Nigeria is a sovereign nation’
The Presidency maintained that Nigeria should not have its internal political disputes taken before foreign governments.
According to the statement, “It is important to remind Atiku and his associates that Nigeria is a sovereign nation, not a satellite of any foreign power.”
It further argued that reporting a sitting Nigerian President to another country’s leader was inappropriate.
The statement continued: “Reporting the President of Nigeria to another country’s leader is not only inappropriate but also undermines the nation’s dignity and independence.”
While acknowledging that lobbying is recognised in American politics, the Presidency alleged that using paid foreign lobbyists to circulate what it described as discredited documents against President Tinubu amounted to an attempt to externalise Nigeria’s domestic politics.
It added: “Nigerians resolved this matter at the ballot in February 2023 and in the Supreme Court. That verdict stands, and Atiku’s latest fishing expedition would amount to nought.”
The Presidency also alleged that Atiku spent $1.2 million on American lobbyists and challenged him to clarify his own legal history in the United States.
Presidency revives William Jefferson bribery allegations
The statement alleged that Atiku featured prominently in the William Jefferson bribery scandal, which resulted in the imprisonment of former US Congressman William Jefferson.
According to the Presidency, “He featured most prominently in the William Jefferson bribery scandal, a matter which saw the American congressman jailed.”
It also referred to a US Senate investigation titled “Keeping Foreign Corruption Out of the United States: Four Case Histories,” chaired by Senator Carl Levin and released in February 2010.
The Presidency stated that Atiku and his former wife, Jennifer Douglas, were among those examined in the report.
According to the statement, the report documented allegations that Atiku used offshore companies to move suspect funds, including alleged bribes from multinational companies worth millions of dollars, into the United States.
Presidency questions Atiku’s presidential ambition
The statement further alleged that Atiku’s repeated attempts to become President were driven by personal interests.
It stated: “Atiku’s obsession with the presidency is driven not just by his marabout-fuelled ambition, but by a desire for diplomatic immunity and to evade potential legal issues abroad.”
The Presidency also criticised Atiku’s role in Nigeria’s privatisation programme during his time as Vice President.
According to the statement, “He presided over an egregious privatisation heist, selling national assets to cronies for peanuts and causing thousands of job losses and unpaid salaries and pensions that President Tinubu is clearing today.”
In one of its strongest remarks, the statement added: “Indeed, if Atiku Abubakar were a Chinese, he would be rotting away in jail for his crimes against the Nigerian people.”
Tinubu focused on governance
The Presidency concluded by accusing Atiku of focusing on media campaigns and lobbying abroad instead of offering practical solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
The statement said: “Rather than present policy alternatives to address the country’s challenges, the former Vice President has chosen the path of media theatrics and lobbying in Washington.”
It added that President Tinubu remained focused on governance.
According to the statement, “President Tinubu is unfazed by Atiku’s theatrics as he remains focused on his Renewed Hope Agenda, stabilising the economy, attracting investments, securing the nation, and restoring Nigeria’s standing in the world.”
The Presidency concluded by describing Atiku as one of the “perennial losers” who, according to the statement, now seek validation abroad.
Watch the video here…
STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT
WHEN WILL ATIKU ABUBAKAR REPORT HIMSELF TO PRESIDENT TRUMP?
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s relentless desire to become President of Nigeria has regrettably closed his eyes to the virtues of statesmanship, decorum, and propriety expected of an… pic.twitter.com/tg3QCc5ibY
— Bayo Onanuga, OON, CON (@aonanuga1956) July 23, 2026
