Von Batten-Montague-York claims Tinubu-Trump meeting with Trump is dead
By OUR REPORTER
“President Tinubu’s central objective was to meet with President @realDonaldTrump and secure his endorsement for the upcoming Nigerian presidential election. Having those meetings canceled and being told, in so many words, that you are a liability to the United States is unfortunate, especially after spending $9 million in Nigerian taxpayer money on the effort.”
United States-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York has claimed that a proposed meeting between President Bola Tinubu and United States President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly will no longer take place.
The firm made the claim in an update posted on its social media platform, saying the proposed meeting, as well as any anticipated endorsement of Tinubu by Trump ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election, was “dead.”
According to the firm, “President Tinubu’s central objective was to meet with President @realDonaldTrump and secure his endorsement for the upcoming Nigerian presidential election.”
It further claimed that the cancellation of the proposed engagements was unfortunate, alleging that Tinubu had, “in so many words,” been told that he was a “liability to the United States.”
The lobbying firm also alleged that $9 million in Nigerian taxpayers’ money had been spent on efforts to facilitate the proposed engagement.
However, the claims regarding the alleged expenditure, the purpose of the proposed meeting and the assertion concerning how Tinubu was viewed by the United States were not independently substantiated in the post.
Von Batten-Montague-York nevertheless said it hoped Tinubu would change his mind and attend the ongoing United Nations General Assembly.
“By the grace of Almighty God, and only by His grace, President Tinubu’s (@OfficialABAT) heavily lobbied UN meeting with President #Trump is dead. Any endorsement of Tinubu in the upcoming Nigerian presidential election is dead. The proposed White House meeting is dead.
“President Tinubu’s central objective was to meet with President @realDonaldTrump and secure his endorsement for the upcoming Nigerian presidential election. Having those meetings canceled and being told, in so many words, that you are a liability to the United States is unfortunate, especially after spending $9 million in Nigerian taxpayer money on the effort.
“Regardless, we hope President #Tinubu changes his mind and attends the @UN General Assembly,” said the US firm.
The development comes amid the Presidency’s announcement that Tinubu’s working leave had been extended by one week, with the President expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.
Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
