A United States-based policy advisory and lobbying firm linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has alleged that its founder, Dr Karl Von Batten, was offered $3 million and invited to a confidential meeting in London to persuade him to end the firm’s campaign concerning allegations against President Bola Tinubu.

The firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, made the allegation in a statement posted on its X account on Wednesday, claiming that the offer was made “a few days ago” by a highly placed individual whom it was informed was connected to President Tinubu.

The allegation has drawn a fresh response from the Presidency, which has questioned the credibility of the firm and accused it of presenting political claims as intelligence reports.

According to Von Batten-Montague-York, the alleged offer was intended to persuade Von Batten to end its campaign concerning what it described as allegations relating to Tinubu’s alleged heroin-trafficking records.

The firm said its founder rejected the offer and immediately preserved copies of the communications exchanged with the alleged intermediary.

It further said Von Batten contacted members of Atiku Abubakar’s campaign to establish the nature of the individual’s alleged relationship with the President.

The firm also alleged that a smear campaign against its founder began shortly after he rejected the offer.

It said it would submit the alleged $3 million offer and related communications to the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for review.

The firm stated: “A few days ago, Dr. Von Batten received unsolicited offers of $3 million, along with an invitation to a confidential meeting in London, from a highly placed individual whom we have been informed is connected to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.”

It added that Von Batten “refused the offers, immediately preserved copies of the exchanges” and contacted members of Atiku’s campaign.