Atiku Hires $1.2m US Lobbying Firm to Engage Trump, Counter Nigerian Govt

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has entered into a $1.2 million agreement with a United States-based lobbying firm as part of efforts to strengthen his image abroad and respond to narratives linked to the Nigerian government.

Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice show that Atiku engaged Washington-based firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., under a formal agreement signed in early March 2026.

The contract was executed by the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, alongside Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji, who acted on behalf of the former vice-president.

The filings indicate that the engagement is designed to improve Atiku’s standing within U.S. political and policy circles. It also aims to present his leadership ideas to key stakeholders while pushing back against what his camp considers unfavourable narratives promoted by the Nigerian government.

Part of the agreement states that the firm will help to “counterbalance” the Nigerian government’s “lobbying narratives” in Washington. It will also work to “advance understanding” of Atiku’s “leadership posture and policy vision” among American policymakers.

Under the deal, the lobbying firm is expected to arrange high-level meetings between Atiku and U.S. officials. This includes members of Congress, their aides, and officials within the executive branch.

The engagement will focus on issues such as democratic governance, economic growth, regional stability, and U.S.-Nigeria relations.

“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,” part of the contract read.

Beyond political access, the firm will also handle Atiku’s public image in the United States. This includes strategic communication, message development, and broader perception management efforts targeted at influential stakeholders.

“This includes the development of messaging strategies, narrative positioning, and reputational advisory services,” the document added.

The contract is valued at $1.2 million and will run for a period of 12 months. Payments are structured in six instalments over the duration of the agreement.

The development is seen by political observers as part of Atiku’s early positioning ahead of the 2027 presidential race. He remains one of the leading opposition figures and is widely expected to play a major role in the next election cycle.

This comes amid internal challenges within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a platform recently adopted by Atiku and other opposition leaders. The party is currently facing a leadership dispute following the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala.

In a related development, the lobbying firm confirmed that it would engage top U.S. authorities, including President Donald Trump and members of Congress, over the situation within the ADC.

The firm raised concerns that INEC’s action “has effectively frozen Nigeria’s main opposition political party at a critical moment as it prepares to compete in the upcoming Nigerian presidential election, raising serious concerns about the opposition’s ability to organise and participate fully in the democratic process.”

The firm also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that future elections in Nigeria remain credible and reflect the will of the people.