Atiku hires US lobbying firm for $1.2m as he kickstarts his 2027 presidential campaign

FORMER vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has hired Washington lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York to enhance his reputational standing in the US in what is seen as his first step in Nigeria's 2027 presidential race.

Alhaji Abubakar, who served as vice president between 1999 and 2007, is a member of the opposition coalition the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He is expected to seek the party's presidential ticket ahead of next year's elections in what promises to be a fierce battle against other political heavyweights like Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Whoever clinches the ADC ticket will then be engaged in a bitter fight with incumbent President Bola Tinubu of the All Peoples Congress (APC). In what is seen as the firing of the first salvo, Alhaji Abubakar has signed an agreement with the company valued at $1.2m for a 12-month period, payable in six instalments.

Details of the deal are contained in documents filed with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), which show that the agreement was signed on March 9 and 10 by the firm’s managing partner Karl Von Batten and Fabiyi Oladimeji, on behalf of the former vice president. According to the filing posted on the DOJ’s website, the contract is aimed at shaping perceptions of Atiku Abubakar within US policy circles and countering narratives linked to the Nigerian government.

According to the contract, one of the objectives of the engagement is to counterbalance the Nigerian government’s lobbying narratives in the US, while also working to advance understanding of Atiku’s leadership posture and policy vision among policymakers. Under the arrangement, the firm is expected to facilitate meetings between the former vice president and US government officials, including members of Congress, as well as provide advisory services on policy positioning 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 US engagement with Nigeria and the broader West African region.

"The firm will also undertake promotion, perception management and public relations activities designed to enhance understanding among US policymakers and relevant stakeholders of Atiku’s positions. This includes the development of messaging strategies, narrative positioning, and reputational advisory services,” the document read in part.

Already, the lobbying firm has said it would engage the US authorities, including President Donald Trump and members of Congress, over the Independent Nigerian Election Commission's (Inec) derecognition of the ADC leadership. Last week, Inec ruled that it no longer recognises Senator David Mark and Governor Rauf Aregbesola as the party's chairman and secretary respectively.

According to Von Batten-Montague-York, the action has effectively frozen Nigeria’s main opposition political party at a critical moment as it prepares to compete in the upcoming presidential election, raising serious concerns about the opposition’s ability to organise and participate fully in the democratic process. In addition, the firm also urged President Tinubu to ensure that future elections are beyond reproach and reflective of the will of the people.