Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has reportedly contracted a Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., in a deal worth $1.2 million aimed at strengthening his reputation and influence within the United States.
According to documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, the agreement was formalised on March 9 and 10, 2026. The contract was signed by the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, and Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji, who acted on behalf of the former vice-president.
Details of the filing indicate that the engagement is designed to reshape perceptions of Atiku among U.S. policymakers and counter narratives associated with the Nigerian government.
One of the core goals of the arrangement 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.
As part of the contract, the firm is expected to arrange strategic meetings between Atiku and key U.S. officials, including members of Congress, while also providing advisory support on policy positioning and diplomatic engagement.
“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 scope of work also covers image management and strategic communications aimed at improving how Atiku is perceived within influential policy circles.
The firm will also undertake “promotion, perception management, and public relations activities designed to enhance understanding among U.S. 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 contract, valued at $1.2 million, is structured to run for 12 months, with payments to be made in six instalments.
The development comes amid growing speculation over Atiku’s potential candidacy in the 2027 presidential election, particularly as he aligns with opposition forces within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The party, however, is currently grappling with internal leadership disputes following actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which recently derecognised factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala.
In a related move, the lobbying firm disclosed in a statement on its X handle on April 2 that it would engage U.S. authorities, including Donald Trump and members of Congress, over INEC’s decision concerning the ADC leadership.
The firm warned that 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 organize and participate fully in the democratic process.”
It also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that forthcoming elections meet democratic standards, urging that they be “beyond reproach” and reflective of the will of the people.
