News
Presidency Blasts Atiku Over U.S. Lobbying, Asks: ‘When Will He Report Himself to President Trump?’
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Bayo-Onanuga-1000x600.jpg&description=Presidency Blasts Atiku Over U.S. Lobbying, Asks: ‘When Will He Report Himself to President Trump?’', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Bayo-Onanuga-1000x600.jpg&description=Presidency Blasts Atiku Over U.S. Lobbying, Asks: ‘When Will He Report Himself to President Trump?’', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The Presidency has launched a scathing attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of attempting to internationalise Nigeria’s domestic politics by allegedly lobbying U.S. President Donald Trump, members of the U.S. Congress and the U.S. State Department over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a State House press statement issued on Thursday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Atiku’s reported actions as unbecoming of an elder statesman and reflective of what he called an “obsession” with becoming Nigeria’s president.
According to the Presidency, Atiku’s lobbying group in the United States recently submitted petitions relating to a civil forfeiture case involving President Tinubu dating back to 1993.
The statement argued that the matter had been resolved more than three decades ago and did not result in any criminal conviction against the President.
“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,” the statement said.
The Presidency further maintained that Nigeria is a sovereign nation and that seeking the intervention of a foreign government in domestic political affairs undermines the country’s independence and democratic institutions.
It argued that the 2023 presidential election and subsequent Supreme Court judgment had settled the issue politically and legally.
The statement also challenged Atiku to explain what it described as his own legal history in the United States.
It referenced the William Jefferson bribery scandal and a 2010 U.S. Senate investigative report titled Keeping Foreign Corruption Out of the United States: Four Case Histories, claiming the report discussed financial transactions involving Atiku and his former wife, Jennifer Douglas.
The Presidency alleged that Atiku had used offshore companies to transfer funds into the United States, although the statement did not indicate that he had been convicted of any criminal offence arising from those allegations.
The Presidency also revisited Atiku’s tenure as Vice President between 1999 and 2007, accusing him of overseeing what it described as a flawed privatization programme that allegedly benefited associates at the expense of the Nigerian public.
According to the statement, the privatization exercise resulted in job losses, unpaid salaries and pension obligations, while claiming the current administration is addressing those challenges.
The Presidency said President Tinubu remains focused on implementing his Renewed Hope Agenda, including economic reforms, investment promotion and security initiatives, rather than engaging in political disputes.
It described Atiku as a “perennial loser” in presidential elections and insisted that political lobbying abroad would not influence Nigeria’s democratic process.
As of the time of filing this report, Atiku Abubakar and his media team had not publicly responded to the Presidency’s latest statement.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the appointment of Prof Ayodeji Badejo as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.
Badejo, a professor of Guidance and Counselling, was born on August 4, 1962.
She obtained her MEd and PhD in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Lagos.
The appointment takes effect following the retirement of Prof Ibijoke Olatunji-Bello, who served as the university’s Vice-Chancellor for five years.
Olatunji-Bello was appointed LASU’s ninth substantive vice-chancellor by Sanwo-Olu in 2021.
Her appointment made her the second woman to occupy the position in the state-owned university.
During her tenure, LASU recorded increased demand from prospective students.
The PUNCH reported in 2025 that the university became the most sought-after university in Nigeria, with more than 70,000 candidates choosing it as their first choice for the 2025/2026 academic session.
Olatunji-Bello had also said her administration was working to transform LASU into one of the leading universities in West Africa by 2026.
Badejo, another woman to occupy the office, will take over the leadership of the university as it continues to expand its academic programmes and strengthen its position among Nigerian universities.
United Kingdom Government has awarded 68 Nigerians the Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to study a wide range of master’s degrees and PhD programmes in the UK in 2026.
Pre-departure ceremonies were held in Abuja and Lagos on Tuesday in honour of the scholars, according to a statement released yesterday.
This year, 12 scholars received the Chevening scholarships, while 56 scholars have been awarded the Commonwealth scholarship so far.
At the pre-departure reception held in Abuja, Chargé d’Affaires, British High Commission Abuja, Ms Vicky Seymour, congratulated those who succeeded in securing scholarships through the highly competitive application and interview process.
“Chevening and Commonwealth Scholars have bright futures and we see your time in the UK as not only as an investment in you as individuals, but also in the future of Nigeria. On your return to Nigeria, I know you will go on to do great things, just as your alumni have done before you. It is therefore my hope that you too will bring these experiences back to Nigeria and use them to achieve remarkable things for your country and put your own mark on the future of this great nation,” Seymour said.
Nigerian troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have carried out air operations against suspected terrorists in Yankuzo community, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, reportedly killing several fighters.
This was made known in a post on X by a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, on Tuesday.
Makama, citing local sources, said the operation took place on the evening of Sept. 7, 2026, when five military aircraft were said to have conducted a coordinated operation over the community.
According to the report, sources said the aircraft engaged suspected terrorists in the area, with several of the fighters reportedly killed, although the exact number of casualties could not immediately be established.
Sanwo-Olu appoints Badejo new LASU VC
68 Nigerians awarded U.K. Chevening, Commonwealth scholarships
Many terrorists eliminated as military airstrikes hit hideout in Zamfara
-
News18 hours ago49.70kg heroin: Fugitive drug kingpin, Festus Ibewuike, arrested after years on the run+Photos
-
News14 hours agoAlia’s Claim Under Heavy hammer as Photos Show Benue Govt Was Informed Ahead of Obi’s Visit
-
Economy19 hours agoSee Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, September 9, 2026
-
News19 hours agoPolice Arrest Woman After Vigilante Member Dies During Sex in Ile-Ife
-
News19 hours agoAdeboye, wife celebrate 59 years of marriage
-
News19 hours agoKara Bridge closure cripple Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
-
News9 hours agoAkpabio Petitions DSS Over Viral ‘Anti-North’ Statement, Demands Probe
-
News17 hours agoReps Probe N432bn Oil Revenue Debt, Summon Debtors