The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG), USA Chapter, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over an alleged Washington lobbying campaign against President Bola Tinubu, accusing the opposition politician and his associates of taking Nigeria’s domestic political rivalry to the international stage.

In an electronic statement issued on Sunday and signed by its President, Daniel Cosmas, the NDMG USA Chapter said the renewed attention on decades-old United States documents concerning Tinubu appeared aimed at influencing perceptions of the Nigerian President ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group also challenged the interpretation being given to the historical US proceedings involving Tinubu, arguing that the 1993 case frequently referenced in the controversy involved civil forfeiture rather than a criminal conviction.

“The attempt to sell an old civil forfeiture proceeding as though it were a criminal conviction is a cynical distortion of history. There is a fundamental difference between a civil proceeding involving the forfeiture of money and a criminal conviction for drug trafficking.

“Those who understand the American legal system know this distinction, yet political operators appear determined to blur it for propaganda purposes,” Cosmas said.

NDMG also questioned the use of a lobbying firm in the campaign, saying the activities and background of individuals associated with the effort should be subjected to scrutiny.

Cosmas claimed that the principal behind the lobbying operation had himself been the subject of public controversy and scrutiny, adding that reports had identified him as being of Nigerian origin.

The diaspora group accused Atiku’s camp of attempting to internationalise its political disagreements with Tinubu instead of making its case directly to Nigerian voters.

It maintained that opposition politicians were entitled to challenge the President, scrutinise his administration and campaign against him, but argued that Nigeria’s political contests should primarily be decided by Nigerians.

“Democracy gives Atiku every right to oppose President Tinubu, criticise his policies and seek the support of Nigerians in 2027. What democracy does not give anyone is the right to outsource Nigeria’s political contest to Washington.

“If the opposition has a case against Tinubu, it should present that case to Nigerians and, where appropriate, to the Nigerian courts. Lobbying American officials with recycled allegations does not make those allegations true,” Cosmas said.

NDMG further warned that international political campaigns involving allegations against Nigerian leaders could have implications beyond the political fortunes of the individuals involved.

According to the group, Nigerians living and working abroad could also be affected when political disputes reinforce negative perceptions about the country or its citizens.

The organisation called on Atiku and his associates to focus their political challenge on issues affecting Nigerians and allow voters to assess the competing records and proposals of political actors ahead of the 2027 elections.

“President Tinubu will be judged by Nigerians on his record. Atiku should tell Nigerians what he intends to do differently and allow the people to decide. No lobbyist in Washington should be permitted to determine the direction of Nigeria’s democracy,” Cosmas stated.