Abuja, NIGERIA – Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has engaged the services of a Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., to enhance his reputational standing in the United States and counter narratives linked to the Nigerian government.
Okay News gathered that the $1.2 million agreement, which spans a 12-month period, was signed on March 9 and 10, 2026, by the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, and Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji on behalf of Atiku. Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice outline the primary objective of shaping perceptions of Atiku within U.S. policy circles and advancing understanding of his policy vision and leadership posture.
Under the arrangement, the firm is expected to facilitate high-level meetings between Atiku and U.S. government officials, including members of Congress and executive branch staff. The contract covers perception management, public relations, and advisory services focused on democratic governance, regional stability, and economic development.
The strategic move comes as Atiku positions himself as a potential major contender in the 2027 presidential election amid ongoing realignments within the opposition. He and several other prominent figures have recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which is currently grappling with a leadership crisis after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) derecognized factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala.
In a related development, the lobbying firm announced on April 2 that it would engage U.S. authorities, including President Donald Trump, regarding INEC’s derecognition of the ADC leadership. The firm expressed concern that the electoral body’s action has “effectively frozen Nigeria’s main opposition political party at a critical moment,” urging President Bola Tinubu to ensure future elections remain transparent and reflective of the people’s will.
