US Firm Claims Trump Rejected Tinubu’s Meeting Bid as Presidency Denies Travel Snag

Washington, D.C. — A United States-based advocacy firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has alleged that the US government rejected efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to secure a meeting with US President Donald Trump ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.

The firm claimed that Tinubu had sought to use the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York as an opportunity to meet Trump and obtain his endorsement ahead of the 2027 election.

Von Batten-Montague-York made the allegation in a post published on its verified X handle on Monday.

According to the firm, the proposed engagement with Trump was turned down by the American government. The firm further claimed:

• Any anticipated endorsement of Tinubu by the US president was now “dead.”
• The proposed White House meeting had been abandoned.
• Efforts to secure the meeting had cost Nigerian taxpayers about $9 million, although it did not publicly provide evidence in the post establishing that the entire amount was spent specifically to secure a Trump meeting or endorsement.

Tinubu had been made to understand that he was a “liability” to the United States, according to Von Batten-Montague-York.

The allegations come amid renewed attention to Tinubu’s decision not to attend the 81st UNGA in New York.

Presidency Denies US Travel Impediment, Cites Working Vacation

The Presidency announced that Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation at the global gathering.

Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level diplomatic engagements.

Tinubu had earlier been expected to attend the UNGA after Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, announced in July that the President had confirmed his attendance.

A provisional programme had also listed Tinubu as one of the speakers during the General Debate.

The President’s decision to stay away from the 2026 UNGA has subsequently generated political controversy, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar questioning the reasons for the absence and raising questions about alleged US lobbying expenditure.

However, the Presidency has rejected suggestions that Tinubu’s absence is connected to any restriction by the United States. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described the insinuations surrounding the President’s non-attendance as baseless and irresponsible.

The Presidency said Tinubu is currently on a working vacation in Europe and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.

Presidential aide Ademola Osodi also dismissed suggestions that Tinubu was unable to travel to the United States because of problems with American authorities.

He said there was “absolutely no impediment” to the President travelling to the US, arguing that Tinubu’s focus was currently on domestic issues, including the economy and security, as well as other international engagements.

Unverified Claims Amid Ongoing Political Controversy

The latest allegation by Von Batten-Montague-York therefore adds another layer to the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA and Nigeria’s engagement with the Trump administration.

While the US-based firm has claimed that efforts to secure a Trump meeting and endorsement for Tinubu failed, the allegation has not been independently verified. The claim that $9 million of Nigerian taxpayers’ money was spent on the reported effort also remains unverified based on the information publicly available at the time of publication.

The Presidency’s statements did not directly address the specific allegation by Von Batten-Montague-York regarding the Trump meeting, focusing instead on denying any restriction on Tinubu’s travel to the United States.

Ejes Gist News will continue to actively monitor further developments surrounding Tinubu’s US engagements, the Trump administration and the 2027 Nigerian presidential election as more information becomes available.