Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has secured the services of a United States-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York L.C., in a $1.2 million agreement aimed at boosting his international profile and countering the Nigerian government’s influence in Washington.
Details of the contract, filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, show that the agreement was executed in March 2026 and will run for a period of 12 months. It was signed by the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, alongside Nigerian associate Fabiyi Oladimeji.
According to the filing, a central goal of the engagement is to “counterbalance” narratives advanced by the Nigerian government in the United States, while promoting Atiku’s leadership vision and policy agenda among key American stakeholders.
The firm is expected to facilitate high-level meetings between Atiku and U.S. officials, including members of Congress and executive branch representatives. It will also provide strategic advisory services on policy positioning, reputation management, and engagement with U.S. policymakers on issues such as democratic governance, regional stability, and economic development.
As part of the arrangement, the lobbying outfit will develop messaging strategies, prepare policy briefs, and coordinate outreach efforts aimed at shaping perceptions of Atiku’s political agenda and leadership credentials.
The move comes as Atiku positions himself for the 2027 presidential election, amid internal challenges within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the platform adopted by several opposition figures.
Recently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced it would no longer recognise factions of the ADC linked to David Mark and Nafiu Bala, following a Court of Appeal ruling.
In a related development, the lobbying firm signaled its intention to engage U.S. policymakers, including President Donald Trump and members of Congress, over concerns that recent electoral decisions in Nigeria could affect opposition participation.
The firm also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that upcoming elections are transparent, credible, and reflective of the will of the electorate.
Atiku’s latest move mirrors a growing trend of Nigerian political and corporate actors retaining lobbying firms in Washington to influence policy narratives and strengthen bilateral relations with the United States.