Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has engaged Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., a Washington-based lobbying agency, in a $1.2 million deal geared toward strengthening his repute and countering the Nigerian authorities’s lobbying efforts in america.
The contract Contract, signed by Karl Von Batten, the agency’s managing accomplice, and Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji on March 9 and 10, 2026, was filed with the US Division of Justice.
In response to the submitting, a key goal of the Contract is for the agency to “counterbalance” the Nigerian authorities’s “lobbying narratives” within the US, whereas additionally working to “advance understanding” of Atiku’s “management posture and coverage imaginative and prescient” inside US policymaking circles.
Beneath the phrases of the deal, the agency will facilitate conferences between Atiku and US authorities officers, together with members of Congress, and supply strategic advisory on coverage positioning and repute administration.
“These actions embody lobbying and authorities affairs engagement with Members of Congress, congressional workers, and government department officers regarding points associated to democratic governance, regional stability, {economic} growth, and U.S. engagement with Nigeria and the broader West African area,” a part of the contract particulars reads.
“The Registrant (lobbying agency) might advocate for insurance policies and views aligned with the international principal’s acknowledged positions, together with issues regarding governance, {economic} coverage, and bilateral relations with america.
“The Registrant additionally engages in promotion, notion administration, and public relations actions designed to reinforce understanding amongst U.S. policymakers and related stakeholders of the international principal’s coverage positions, management posture, and strategic priorities.
“This consists of the event of messaging methods, narrative positioning, and reputational advisory companies.
“In furtherance of those actions, the Registrant prepares, distributes, and should help within the dissemination of informational supplies, together with briefing memoranda, coverage papers, speaking factors, and associated communications, supposed to tell U.S. authorities officers and stakeholders.”
The Contract spans 12 months, with Atiku anticipated to pay the $1.2 million price in six instalments.
The event comes as Atiku, a key opposition determine, is broadly seen as positioning himself for the 2027 presidential election following earlier unsuccessful bids.
Nonetheless, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the platform adopted by Atiku and different opposition leaders, is at the moment grappling with an inside management disaster that might have an effect on its readiness for the polls.
On Wednesday, the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) mentioned it might not recognise the ADC factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala after reviewing a Court docket of Enchantment judgement.
In a press release printed through X on Thursday, the lobbying agency mentioned it might have interaction with US President Donald Trump and the US Congress relating to issues that INEC’s choice undermines the “predominant opposition get together”.
The agency additionally known as on President Bola Tinubu to “be sure that the conduct and final result of the upcoming elections are past reproach, free from doubt, and absolutely reflective of the need of the Nigerian individuals”.
The transfer mirrors current lobbying efforts by Nigerian stakeholders in Washington. In December 2025, the federal authorities secured a $9 million lobbying contract to speak its actions on defending Christians in Nigeria to US authorities.
That very same month, Matthew Tonlagha, vice-chairman of Tantita Safety Companies, additionally retained Valcour International Public Technique to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and america.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Times Nigeria