Atiku Abubakar Engages Lobbying Firm for $1.2M

Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has hired the Washington-based lobbying firm Von Batten Montagu York L.C. for a contract valued at $1.2 million. The agreement, signed on March 9, 2026, aims to strengthen Abubakar's reputation in the United States and counter narratives that associate him with the Nigerian government.

The contract, which is documented on the U.S. Department of Justice website, is set for a 12-month period and will be paid in six installments.

The firm, managed by Karl Von Batten, will facilitate meetings between Abubakar and U.S. government officials, including members of Congress, and provide advisory services on policy positions. The arrangement is particularly significant as Abubakar is widely seen as a potential contender for the 2027 presidential election amidst ongoing uncertainties within the African democratic landscape and challenges faced by the opposition party, which is currently experiencing a leadership crisis following the Independent National Electoral Commission's derecognition of a faction led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala.