Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has retained the services of a Washington-based lobbying firm in a $1.2 million deal aimed at protecting his reputation and pushing back against what his camp describes as unfair narratives from the Nigerian government.
The contract, signed with Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., was filed with the United States Department of Justice on March 10, 2026, and runs for 12 months.
The agreement was signed by Karl Von Batten, managing partner of the firm, and Fabiyi Oladimeji, a Nigerian politician acting on behalf of the former vice-president.
According to the document, the firm’s mandate includes “counterbalancing” the lobbying narratives of the Nigerian government in the United States. This suggests a deliberate strategy to ensure that official Nigerian positions do not go unchallenged within US policymaking circles.
The contract further reveals that Von Batten-Montague-York will work to “advance understanding” among US government officials and members of Congress regarding Atiku’s “leadership posture and policy vision”. This goes beyond simple representation. It is a structured campaign to shape how Washington perceives the former vice-president ahead of the 2027 Nigerian elections.
What the lobbying firm will do
The scope of work outlined in the filing is extensive. The firm will facilitate and arrange meetings for Atiku with US government officials, including members of Congress and executive branch personnel. These engagements will cover issues related to democratic governance, regional stability, economic development, and broader US engagement with Nigeria and West Africa.
More significantly, the firm is authorised to engage in “perception management and public relations activities”. This includes the development of messaging strategies, narrative positioning, and reputational advisory services. In plain terms, the firm will actively work to polish Atiku’s image in Washington while identifying and neutralising narratives that could damage his standing.
The contract also permits the firm to prepare and distribute informational materials such as briefing memoranda, policy papers, and talking points. These documents are intended to inform US government officials and stakeholders about Atiku’s positions and priorities.
Payment structure
The former vice-president is expected to pay $1.2 million for the 12-month contract. The amount will be disbursed in six instalments, though the specific payment schedule was not disclosed in the filing.
This is not the first time a Nigerian political figure has hired a US lobbying firm. In December 2025, the federal government signed a $9 million contract with a separate firm to assist in communicating its actions on protecting Christians in Nigeria. That same month, Matthew Tonlagha, vice-chairman of Tantita Security Services, also hired Valcour Global Public Strategy to strengthen bilateral relations between the US and Nigeria.
However, Atiku’s contract stands out because of its explicit focus on countering the federal government’s own lobbying efforts. It is a direct challenge to the Tinubu administration’s ability to control the narrative about Nigeria in Washington.
Connection to the ADC crisis
The timing of this contract is notable. Atiku has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as his political platform for the 2027 presidential election. However, the ADC is currently battling a severe leadership crisis that threatens its ability to field candidates.
On Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that it would no longer recognise the ADC factions led by Senator David Mark and Nafiu Bala. The commission cited a review of a court of appeal judgement as the basis for its decision.
The following day, Von Batten-Montague-York issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) expressing concern over INEC’s decision. The firm said it would engage with US President Donald Trump and the US Congress on the matter, arguing that the commission’s action undermines the “main opposition party” in Nigeria.
The firm also directed a message at President Bola Tinubu, asking 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”.
For now, the contract is public record. What remains to be seen is whether the $1.2 million investment yields the reputational returns Atiku is banking on, or whether it becomes another chapter in the long history of opposition figures looking abroad for solutions to domestic political problems.
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