Atiku’s aide says Trump appointed his lobbyist, signaling looming 2027 election battle with Tinubu
Atiku Abubakar’s senior political assistant, Demola Olarewaju, said on September 3, 2026 that the former vice president is battling President Bola Tinubu both domestically and internationally, and will defeat him in the 2027 election. He commented after reports that US President Donald Trump appointed Atiku’s American lobbyist, Karl Von Batten, to serve as a White House presidential commissioner. Batten’s firm, Von Batten-Montague-York L.C, announced the appointment via X. Atiku had hired the firm in March 2026 on a 12‑month retainer worth $1.2 million.
Olarewaju claimed the ruling APC had spent $9 million trying to lobby the US to endorse Tinubu for another term, only to see Atiku’s lobbyist gain an official White House role. The development highlights how foreign lobbying and campaign financing are becoming part of Nigeria’s electoral contest, potentially influencing perceptions and resources ahead of the 2027 polls.
Readers should note the growing role of international actors in Nigerian politics and consider how such lobbying efforts might affect campaign narratives and voter perceptions. The situation remains fluid, with both sides likely to intensify their outreach as the election approaches.