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Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has retained Washington-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., under a $1.2 million contract to manage his image in United States policy circles and counter narratives from the Tinubu administration, according to documents filed with the US Department of Justice.
The agreement was signed on March 9 and 10, 2026, by the firm's managing partner Karl Von Batten and Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji, acting on behalf of Atiku. The contract runs for 12 months, payable in six instalments.
Among the stated objectives is to "counterbalance" the Nigerian government's "lobbying narratives" in the United States, while advancing understanding of Atiku's "leadership posture and policy vision" among policymakers in Washington. The firm is tasked with facilitating meetings between the former vice president and US government officials, including members of Congress, alongside advisory services on policy positioning.
"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 contract states.
The agreement also covers "promotion, perception management, and public relations activities designed to enhance understanding among US policymakers and relevant stakeholders" of Atiku's positions, including "the development of messaging strategies, narrative positioning, and reputational advisory services."
Von Batten-Montague-York also went public on its X account on April 2, stating that it would engage US authorities including President Donald Trump and members of Congress over INEC's derecognition of leadership factions within the African Democratic Congress. The firm described the action as having "effectively frozen Nigeria's main opposition political party at a critical moment as it prepares to compete in the upcoming Nigerian presidential election."
The business empire behind the politician
Atiku's decision to commit $1.2 million to US lobbying reflects both his political ambitions and the commercial resources available to him. He is one of Nigeria's most prominent businessmen and has been a recurring figure in the country's political landscape across five presidential campaigns.
He co-founded INTELS Nigeria in 1982, building it into one of the dominant oil-and-gas logistics companies in the country with significant operations at Nigeria's ports. In 2021, he sold his stake in INTELS Nigeria for over $100 million. He is also the founder of the American University of Nigeria in Yola, Adamawa State, which opened in 2005 and was modelled on the American University system.
His broader commercial interests are organised under Priam Group, an umbrella conglomerate spanning manufacturing, media, banking, logistics and food processing. The group represents the accumulated business interests he has built over four decades in Nigeria's private sector.
The 2027 context
The lobbying engagement comes as Atiku is widely regarded as a leading contender in the 2027 presidential election, his sixth attempt at Nigeria's highest office. The political vehicle he and other opposition figures have adopted, the African Democratic Congress, is currently facing a leadership crisis. INEC has derecognised factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala, a development that has complicated the party's ability to organise ahead of the election cycle.
Atiku ran as the Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the 2023 election, losing to President Bola Tinubu in a contest he challenged before the courts. His engagement of a Washington lobbying firm signals that he intends to fight the next campaign on multiple fronts, including building his standing with the US government and countering the diplomatic advantages that can accrue to an incumbent administration.
