5.4.2026
Former Nigerian Vice President and 2027 presidential aspirant Atiku Abubakar have paid $1.2m to a Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. to help gloss over his reputation in the United States and other Western countries.
According to documents filed with the US Department of Justice the agreement was signed on March 9 and 10, 2026, by the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, and Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji.
One of the objectives states that the firm will “counterbalance” the Nigerian government’s “lobbying narratives” in the US, while also working to “advance understanding” of Atiku’s “leadership posture and policy vision” among policymakers.
Under the arrangement, the firm will facilitate meetings between the former vice-president and US government officials, including members of Congress, and provide advisory services on policy positioning and engagement strategy.
“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 reads.
The agreement is valued at $1.2 million for a 12-month period, payable in six instalments.
The development comes as Atiku is widely seen as a potential contender in the 2027 presidential election, amid ongoing uncertainty within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he and other opposition figures have adopted.
The party is currently facing a leadership crisis following a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognise factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala.
Atiku Abubakar, 2027 presidential aspirant.