US Firm Questions Tinubu-Trump Meeting Over Proposed Minerals Deal

A United States firm linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s planned meeting with US President Donald Trump.

The firm, Von Batten Montague York-LC, also questioned the proposed minerals agreement between Nigeria and the United States.

The agreement is expected to be signed on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

In a post on X on Monday, the firm alleged that some highly placed Nigerians claimed the Presidency expected the Tinubu-Trump meeting to proceed.

It also alleged that officials believed the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration would not release certain records.

The firm further claimed that the Nigerian Presidency had confidence in the proposed meeting because both sides had “settled the Americans”.

However, Von Batten Montague York-LC stressed that it had not independently verified the claims.

It explained that the phrase referred to an alleged situation where something of value had been offered for a favourable outcome.

The allegations have emerged as Nigeria and the United States prepare to advance cooperation in the minerals sector.

The proposed agreement has also drawn attention because of its expected signing during the UN General Assembly.

According to the firm, the timing could create an appearance of impropriety and raise questions about the integrity of the process.

Von Batten Montague York-LC also cited an alleged unsolicited offer of $3 million from an All Progressives Congress member.

The firm claimed the politician had links to President Tinubu, although it did not provide evidence connecting the alleged offer to the minerals agreement.

“After the unsolicited $3 million offer from a member of the APC who is connected to President Tinubu, we believe these concerns cannot simply be dismissed,” the firm said.

It added that it had started drawing the attention of the Trump administration to what it described as a serious appearance problem.

The firm said the concern centred on the proposed timing of the minerals agreement and its possible implications.

It maintained that the circumstances surrounding the deal deserved scrutiny before the agreement proceeds.

The development comes amid growing diplomatic and economic engagement between Nigeria and the United States.

However, the allegations by the Atiku-linked firm remain claims that have not been independently established.