ABUJA, Nigeria — A United States lobbying firm representing former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, requested verifiable evidence of political interference from a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party on May 29, 2026.
The Washington-based firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., issued the request following allegations of state interference surrounding a political gathering in Abuja. Okay News reports that Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. stated that Atiku Abubakar instructed the firm to advocate for free and fair elections in Nigeria.
The dispute began when a faction led by Taminu Turaki alleged that Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, threatened to close an event venue selected for a ceremony involving former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan. Peoples Democratic Party faction National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said, “We have been informed by the proprietors of A Class Event Centre of the threat by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to shut down their business premises if the Peoples Democratic Party is allowed to use their hall for our presidential candidate ratification ceremonies.”
Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. stated that members of the United States Congress requested documentation regarding allegations of political interference under the administration of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu. Atiku Abubakar hired the firm earlier in 2026 under a $1.2 million contract to manage his professional standing in the United States.
A rival faction supportive of Nyesom Wike challenged the legitimacy of the scheduled event and called for an investigation by security agencies. The rival faction National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, said the party already cleared Senator Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration stated it would monitor public buildings to prevent gatherings by unauthorized groups. Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Lere Olayinka, said, “Going forward, title documents of any event centre, hotel or public building that is used for the gathering of illegal organisations will be revoked.”
