Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially taken his grievances against President Bola Tinubu’s government to the United States.
Recent filings with the U.S. Department of Justice reveal that one of the opposition leaders has secured a $1.2m lobbying contract with the Washington-based firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C.
It was also gathered that the $1.2m lobbying contract is aimed at bolstering Atiku’s reputational standing as well as challenging the federal government’s influence in American policy circles.
The primary objective of this high-stakes engagement is to “counterbalance” the lobbying efforts currently being funded by the Nigerian government. Sources indicate that the Tinubu administration has significantly increased its own spending in D.C. to maintain diplomatic favor amid domestic economic pressures.
Further checks revealed that Karl Von Batten, the managing partner at the firm, and Fabiyi Oladimeji, a Nigerian politician, were on March 9 and 10, 2026, respectively.
The lobbying firm is expected to “advance understanding” within U.S policymaking institutions of Atiku’s “leadership posture and policy vision”.
Based on the contract details, the firm will facilitate and arrange meetings for the former vice president to engage with U.S. government officials and members of Congress.
Von Batten-Montague-York will also provide Atiku with “guidance on policy positioning, reputational considerations, 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 details reads.
“The Registrant (lobbying firm) may advocate for policies and perspectives aligned with the foreign principal’s stated positions, including matters relating to governance, economic policy, and bilateral relations with the United States.
“The Registrant also engages in promotion, perception management, and public relations activities designed to enhance understanding among U.S. policymakers and relevant stakeholders of the foreign principal’s policy positions, leadership posture, and strategic priorities.
“This includes the development of messaging strategies, narrative positioning, and reputational advisory services.
“In furtherance of these activities, the Registrant prepares, distributes, and may assist in the dissemination of informational materials, including briefing memoranda, policy papers, talking points, and related communications, intended to inform U.S. government officials and stakeholders.”
The former vice-president is expected to pay $1,200,000 for the 12-month contract in six installments.
Atiku is one of the political heavyweights believed to be interested in the 2027 presidential election despite several failed attempts.
The $1.2m lobbying contract comes after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) adopted by Atiku and other opposition leaders is battling a leadership crisis.
On Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dropped a political bombshell, announcing that it would no longer recognise the ADC factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala, following its review of the Court of Appeal judgement.
Shortly after the announcement, Von Batten-Montague-York, in a statement issued on X said it would report INEC and Tinubu to U.S President Donald Trump.
The Republican-linked firm asked Tinubu to “ensure that the conduct and outcome of the upcoming elections are beyond reproach, free from doubt, and fully reflective of the will of the Nigerian people”.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports also that the latest lobbying contract comes a few months after Tinubu’s government hired a lobbying firm in a $9 million contract to assist in communicating its actions on protecting Christians in Nigeria to the US government.
Also, in December 2025, Matthew Tonlagha, vice-chairman of Tantita Security Services, hired Valcour Global Public Strategy, a Washington-based lobbying firm, for the “purpose of strengthening the bilateral relationship” between the U.S and Nigeria.
