Atiku Abubakar Hires US Lobbying Firm to Boost Image Ahead of 2027 Elections
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has hired a Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., to strengthen his reputational standing in the United States. The $1.2 million contract, signed on March 9 and 10, 2026, aims to shape perceptions of Atiku within US policy circles and counter narratives linked to the Nigerian government.
The lobbying firm will work to:
Counterbalance the Nigerian government’s lobbying narratives in the US
Advance understanding of Atiku’s leadership posture and policy vision among policymakers
Facilitate meetings between Atiku and US government officials, including members of Congress
Provide advisory services on policy positioning and engagement strategy
Atiku is widely seen as a potential contender in the 2027 presidential election, amid ongoing uncertainty within the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The party is facing a leadership crisis following a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognize factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala.The lobbying firm’s engagement comes as Atiku seeks to strengthen his international profile and build support for his potential presidential bid in 2027. The contract highlights the growing importance of international lobbying and reputation management in Nigerian politics How will Atiku’s lobbying efforts impact his presidential prospects in 2027?
What are the implications of the Nigerian government’s own lobbying efforts in the US?