Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has engaged a Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., to boost his āreputational standingā in the United States.
Documents filed with the US Department of Justice show that the agreement was signed on March 9 and 10, 2026, by the firmās managing partner, Karl Von Batten, and Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji.
According to the filing, the contract is aimed at shaping perceptions about Atiku within US policy circles and countering narratives linked to the Nigerian government.
One of the objectives states that the firm will ācounterbalanceā the Nigerian governmentās ālobbying narrativesā in the US, while also working to āadvance understandingā of Atikuās āleadership posture and policy visionā 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.
āThese 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,ā part of the contract reads.
It added that the firm would also undertake āpromotion, perception management, and public relations activities designed to enhance understanding among U.S. policymakers and relevant stakeholdersā of Atikuās positions.
āThis includes the development of messaging strategies, narrative positioning, and reputational advisory services,ā the document stated.
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.
In a related development, the lobbying firm said it would engage US authorities, including President Donald Trump and Congress, over concerns that INECās decision undermines the āmain opposition partyā in Nigeria.
The firm also urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that future elections are ābeyond reproachā and reflective of the will of the people.
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