Yoruba Forum Reacts to Trump's Appointment of Lobbyist

The Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum responded to the appointment of Dr. Karl Von Batten, Managing Partner of the Washington-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., to a White House presidential commission by President Donald Trump on September 4, 2026. The forum, led by President Chief Akin Malaolu, highlighted the political implications of this appointment, particularly as Von Batten's firm had been engaged by Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), under a $1.2 million, 12-month contract registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

This contract involved providing government-affairs, strategic-advisory, and lobbying services to advance Atiku's policy positions in Washington. While the forum noted no direct link between Trump's decision and Von Batten's work for Atiku, it emphasized the timing's significance, suggesting it increased Atiku's visibility in Washington ahead of the 2027 elections.

The forum questioned whether the Tinubu government should be concerned about the opposition's growing access in Washington.