Ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar has contracted the Washington-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. for $1.2 million to bolster his image in the United States. The agreement, signed on March 9 and 10, 2026, by the firm's managing partner Karl Von Batten and Nigerian lawyer Fabiyi Oladimeji on Atiku's behalf, aims to shape perceptions of the former vice president among U.S. policymakers. According to U.S. Department of Justice filings, the firm will work to counter narratives associated with the Nigerian government and promote Atiku's leadership profile and policy vision.
The contract includes arranging meetings between Atiku and U.S. officials, including members of Congress and executive branch personnel, and providing strategic advice on policy positioning. Activities will focus on democratic governance, regional stability, economic development, and U.S. relations with Nigeria and West Africa. The firm will also develop messaging strategies and conduct perception management to improve Atiku's standing in American policy circles. Payment is structured in six instalments over a 12-month period.
The move coincides with Atiku's anticipated run in the 2027 presidential election and the ongoing turmoil within the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The Independent National Electoral Commission recently derecognised factions of the ADC led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala. On April 2, the lobbying firm issued a statement via its X account, saying it would engage U.S. authorities, including President Donald Trump and Congress, over the INEC decision. It described the action as freezing Nigeria's main opposition party ahead of the election and urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure future elections reflect the people's will.
Spending $1.2 million on U.S. lobbying while Nigeria grapples with economic hardship places Atiku out of step with everyday voters. His focus on Washington influence brokers over local engagement risks reinforcing elite detachment. If perception management in America becomes more urgent than addressing voter concerns at home, his 2027 ambitions may lack grounding in Nigerian realities.
