Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has engaged a United States-based lobbying firm in a $1.2 million deal aimed at strengthening his international political standing and countering narratives linked to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
According to filings submitted to the US Department of Justice, Atiku retained Washington-based firm Von Batten-Montague-York under a 12-month contract to provide lobbying, public relations, and strategic advisory services. The agreement, signed in March 2026, outlines a structured payment plan in six instalments.
The scope of the engagement includes facilitating high-level interactions between Atiku and key stakeholders in the United States, particularly members of Congress and officials within the executive branch. The firm is also expected to advise on policy positioning and help shape messaging targeted at US policymakers on issues such as democratic governance, economic development, and regional stability in West Africa.
Central to the contract is an effort to “counterbalance” what is described as the Nigerian government’s lobbying narratives abroad, while projecting Atiku’s leadership credentials and policy vision within influential diplomatic and political circles in Washington.
The firm’s responsibilities extend beyond traditional lobbying to include broader perception management strategies. These involve crafting tailored communication frameworks, refining Atiku’s policy messaging, and enhancing his reputation among international stakeholders through coordinated outreach and engagement.
In early April, the firm publicly indicated its intention to engage with US authorities, including figures connected to former President Donald Trump, as well as lawmakers, over political developments in Nigeria. Among the issues highlighted was the electoral commission’s handling of opposition party structures, particularly developments affecting the African Democratic Congress.
Atiku’s move reflects both his sustained political ambitions and the financial capacity derived from decades of business activity. A prominent figure in Nigeria’s private sector, he co-founded Intels Nigeria, an oil and gas logistics company that became a major player in port operations. He later divested his stake in the firm in a deal reportedly exceeding $100 million.
He is also the founder of the American University of Nigeria in Yola, established in 2005, and oversees a wide range of commercial interests through the Priam Group, a conglomerate with investments spanning manufacturing, media, logistics, banking, and food processing.
The lobbying effort comes as Atiku is widely viewed as a leading contender in the 2027 presidential election, marking what could be his sixth attempt at Nigeria’s highest office. His current political platform, the African Democratic Congress, has been navigating internal leadership challenges following regulatory actions affecting its recognised factions.
Atiku previously contested the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party but lost to Tinubu in a race that proceeded to legal challenges. His latest international outreach signals a strategic shift toward building diplomatic leverage and global visibility as part of preparations for the next electoral cycle.
Political analysts note that the decision to invest heavily in US lobbying underscores the increasing importance of international perception in domestic political contests, particularly in a globalised policy environment where foreign relations and investor confidence can influence electoral narratives.
