Atiku's Lobbyist Reposts Trump Appointment After Deletion

Karl Von Batten, a United States-based lobbyist associated with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, reposted an announcement claiming his appointment by President Donald Trump to the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. This announcement, initially made on August 31, 2026, was deleted from the Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. social media account after the Nigerian government allegedly contacted the US administration to express concerns.

Von Batten clarified that the removal did not indicate a withdrawal from the position. He has been retained by Atiku, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, under a 12-month agreement worth approximately $1.2 million to provide government affairs and strategic advisory services.

This includes efforts to enhance Atiku's reputation among US policymakers and counter narratives from the Nigerian government. The firm has also engaged in political issues involving President Bola Tinubu, raising allegations about historical US records related to him, positioning Von Batten at the center of the political contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election.