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Trump appoints Atiku’s $1.2m lobbyist, Karl Von Batten, to a White House commission, giving the US-based lobbyist a new position within the Trump administration, months after he was engaged by Atiku Abubakar to lobby US policymakers, ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2027 presidential election.
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Von Batten’s firm has been campaigning in Washington over records linked to Tinubu, including past US investigations and legal proceedings involving the President, while seeking the attention of US lawmakers and senior government officials, in a move that could put fresh pressure on Tinubu ahead of 2027.
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Atiku hired Von Batten-Montague-York under a $1.2m, 12-month agreement, with the firm mandated to promote his interests among US policy circles, engage lawmakers and government officials and advance his policy positions, as he prepares to challenge Tinubu for the presidency in 2027.
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The White House has not disclosed the commission’s mandate or Von Batten’s duties, and the appointment does not by itself amount to Trump’s endorsement of Atiku, but his new role is certain to fuel political concerns within Tinubu’s camp, as the battle for Nigeria’s presidency increasingly moves into Washington.
September 03, (THEWILL) — The political battle ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election has taken a potentially explosive turn in Washington following United States President Donald Trump’s appointment of Dr Karl Von Batten, the managing partner of lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., to a White House presidential commission.
The appointment is significant because Von Batten’s firm was hired by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar earlier this year under a $1.2 million, 12-month agreement to provide government-affairs and strategic-advisory services in the United States.
The firm announced the appointment on Thursday, saying Trump had selected Von Batten to serve as a commissioner on a White House presidential commission.
The announcement described the appointment as a major honour and said Von Batten was grateful to Trump for the confidence placed in him.
However, neither the firm nor the reports announcing the appointment provided details of the commission, its mandate or the specific responsibilities Von Batten will undertake.
The development has nevertheless generated considerable political interest in Nigeria because of Von Batten’s existing connection to Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate and one of President Bola Tinubu’s major challengers in the 2027 election.
Atiku’s $1.2m Lobbying Deal
Documents filed with the United States Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) show that the contract was designed to promote Atiku’s policy positions and strengthen his profile among US policymakers.
The agreement provides for government-affairs and strategic-advisory services, including engagement with members of Congress, congressional staff, executive-branch officials and other relevant US stakeholders.
The firm was also mandated to develop messaging and strategic positioning to improve understanding of Atiku’s leadership posture and policy vision in US policymaking circles.
It was further expected to counter narratives associated with the Nigerian government and facilitate strategic engagements between Atiku and influential US officials.
The contract has consequently placed Von Batten at the centre of Atiku’s efforts to establish a stronger presence in Washington ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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The appointment comes as Von Batten-Montague-York has mounted an increasingly aggressive campaign over historical US records concerning Tinubu.
The firm has been drawing attention to documents relating to the President’s past US legal and investigative history, including records connected to allegations concerning a drug-trafficking investigation in the early 1990s.
Recent reports have focused on a US court declaration concerning FBI records involving Tinubu. The controversy has intensified as opposition figures and the lobbying firm demand greater transparency over the records.
Von Batten has also publicly challenged claims that Tinubu was never the subject of a criminal investigation by US authorities.
The allegations remain politically contentious, with the Presidency rejecting the opposition’s interpretation of the US records and accusing Atiku’s camp of exploiting the matter for political purposes.
The dispute has increasingly moved beyond Nigeria’s domestic political arena, with lobbying activities directed at US lawmakers and government officials.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
