By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has hired a Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., to strengthen his reputational standing in the United States.
Details of the deal are contained in documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, which show that the agreement 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 the former vice president.
According to the filing sighted on the DOJ’s website on Sunday, the contract is aimed at shaping perceptions of Atiku within US policy circles and countering narratives linked to the Nigerian government.
One of the objectives of the engagement is to “counterbalance” the Nigerian government’s “lobbying narratives” in the United States, while also working to “advance understanding” of Atiku’s “leadership posture and policy vision” among policymakers.
Under the arrangement, the firm is expected to facilitate meetings between the former vice-president and US government officials, including members of Congress, as well as 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 read.
The firm will also undertake “promotion, perception management, and public relations activities designed to enhance understanding among US policymakers and relevant stakeholders” of Atiku’s positions.
“This includes the development of messaging strategies, narrative positioning, and reputational advisory services,” the document added.
The agreement is valued at $1.2m 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, 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 to derecognise factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala.
In a related development, the lobbying firm, in a statement via its X handle on April 2, said it would engage U.S. authorities, including President Donald Trump and members of Congress, over INEC’s derecognition of the leadership of the ADC.
It said the 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 urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that future elections are “beyond reproach” and reflective of the will of the people.
The Punch