Atiku hires $1.2m US lobby firm to counter FG narratives, shape image

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president has contracted Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., a United States-based lobbying firm in a $1.2 million deal aimed at strengthening his reputation and countering the Nigerian government’s influence abroad.

The 12-month agreement, signed between Karl Von Batten, managing partner at the firm, and Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji on March 9 and 10, 2026, was recently filed with the US Department of Justice.

The former vice-president is slated to pay the $1.2 million fee in six installments.

According to the official filings, the firm’s primary objectives are to “counterbalance” the lobbying narratives pushed by the Nigerian government and to “advance understanding” of Atiku’s “leadership posture and policy vision” among US policymakers.

The scope of work outlined in the contract includes facilitating strategic meetings between Atiku and key US government officials, including members of Congress.

Von Batten-Montague-York will also provide the former vice-president with extensive guidance on policy positioning, engagement strategy, and reputational advisory services.

“These activities include lobbying and government affairs engagement with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and executive branch officials concerning issues related to democratic governance, regional stability, economic development, and U.S. engagement with Nigeria and the broader West African region,” the contract details read in part.

The firm is additionally tasked with perception management and public relations, assisting in the creation and distribution of messaging strategies, policy papers, and briefing memoranda intended for US stakeholders.

This significant move by Atiku comes as he continues to position himself as a central figure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He is currently aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party adopted by a coalition of opposition leaders. However, the ADC is presently embroiled in a deep leadership crisis that threatens its operational capacity ahead of the upcoming elections.

Last Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared it would no longer recognize the warring ADC factions, an action that drew swift international condemnation from Atiku’s newly hired lobbying firm.

On Thursday, Von Batten-Montague-York released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) indicating it would raise concerns with US President Donald Trump and the US Congress about how INEC’s decision undermines Nigeria’s “main opposition party.”

The Republican-linked firm also issued a direct appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to “ensure that the conduct and outcome of the upcoming elections are beyond reproach, free from doubt, and fully reflective of the will of the Nigerian people.”