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Nigeria’s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has signed a $1.2 million (about 1.9 billion naira) contract with a US lobbying firm as he steps up moves ahead of a likely contest for presidential tickets within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Premium times can report.
Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice show that Atiku has committed himself Von Batten-Montague-York, LCa Washington-based lobbying firm, with a 12-month agreement signed on March 10 and formally registered with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) unit on April 1.
According to the statement, the firm will provide strategic consulting, congressional and executive branch engagement, and reputation management services targeted to U.S. policymakers and institutions for Atiku.
Atiku, who served as Nigeria’s vice president between 1999 and 2007, has contested the presidency several times.
His latest political move follows a realignment ahead of the 2027 elections, with the ADC emerging as a potential coalition platform.
Scope of the agreement
The lobbying firm will “inform and, where appropriate, influence” U.S. government officials on issues related to Nigeria, including democratic governance, regional stability, economic development and bilateral relations.
The firm is also expected to shape Atiku’s political message, coordinate meetings with U.S. officials and manage his perception among Washington policymakers.
The agreement outlines four key objectives: advance understanding of Atiku’s leadership vision, strengthen his reputation in Washington, counter incumbent narratives, and build structured relationships between US institutions.
Services include preparing policy documents, arranging meetings with members of Congress and executive officials, and advising on political and reputational risks.
The ADC battle looms
The development comes months after Atiku defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ADC, where he is expected to contest the party’s presidential nomination against Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, who was the Labor Party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
Long history of US lobbying
Atiku has maintained a long relationship with American lobbyists and public affairs consultants spanning more than two decades.
In September 2022, it hired a US-based nonprofit, the Public Policy Advocacy and Research Council, for lobbying, public relations and election messaging. The group did not report any direct payments but indicated it expected “exclusive interviews” as compensation.
Previously in 2019, law firm Fein & DelValle PLLC disclosed that it had received $30,000 for advocacy services in support of Atiku’s presidential campaign.
Between 2018 and 2019, Atiku also entered into contracts to obtain a US visa and arrange political engagements, including a $50,000 settlement with Ambassador Sada Cumber and Holland & Knight LLP.
U.S. authorities later determined that some aspects of the engagement qualified as “political activities” under FARA.
In October 2018, documents showed a proposed $16.5 million settlement involving Cumber and Legacy Logistics LLC aimed at bolstering Atiku’s campaign strategy and international profile, although the scope of the rollout remains unclear.
Other revelations include a proposed $150,000 deal in 2018 to facilitate high-level meetings in Washington, which was later reported as unsuccessful, and engagements in 2021 with U.S. political consultants to support visa applications and reach out to government officials, along with small political donations routed through intermediaries.
The first commitments date back to 2005
Atiku’s relationship with US lobbyists dates back to his time as vice president from 1999 to 2007.
In 2005 alone, he hired several firms, including the Weidenfeld law firm for $13,000 per consultation to promote Nigeria’s democratic transition and JC Watts Companies for a $120,000 annual retainer for U.S. government relations.
In 2006, he contracted with Alexander Strategy Group for $420,000 to promote democratic governance and his political views.
Subsequent commitments included $40,000 paid to APCO Worldwide in 2007 and $60,000 to Qorvis Communications in 2008 for crisis communications and public relations support.
Transparency under US law
The latest information was obtained from the US Department of Justice’s FARA Unit, which enforces a 1938 law requiring agents representing foreign principals to publicly disclose their activities, financing and relationships.
The law is designed to ensure transparency of foreign influence on U.S. politics and political processes. (Premium Times)
