Yoruba group takes note as Trump gives Atiku’s lobbyist new appointment

More of the battles for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election would be in Washington D.C., United States. President Donald Trump has appointed Dr Karl Von Batten, the Managing Partner of the Washington-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C the commissioner on White House presidential commission – a move that’s widely believed to be a tacit endorsement to Atiku.

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Recall that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is retaining the services of Von Batten-Montague-York. They have been working to unravel President Bola Tinubu’s alleged heroin trafficking in US, and their activities has so far pitched them against the presidency.

Reacting to Von Batten’s new White House role, Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum expressed worried that US might be aiming to interfere in the forthcoming presidential election.

In a statement signed by its President, Chief Akin Malaolu, the forum noted the facts that the firm was hired by Atiku, a major frontrunner in the coming elections. The former Vice President reportedly paid $1.2 million for 12-month contract registered under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act. Emerging reports have shown that the firm’s objective include to make Atiku likeable among US Congress members and to facilitate strategic contacts inside White House.

“The battle over Nigeria’s democratic credentials, economic direction, governance and international reputation is increasingly being fought in global policy centres, particularly Washington,” Chief Malaolu said.

Malaolu pointed to the timing of Von Batten’s appointment. According to him, it’s a development which Atiku would be happy about.

He stated: “For the opposition ADC and Atiku, this is more than a personnel announcement. It is evidence that the international dimension of Nigeria’s 2027 political contest is gathering momentum.”

Atiku Abubakar is the presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC). His insight to engage the US lobbying firm is second to none; it has already placed him as President Bola Tinubu’s key opponent to watch in 2027.