Trump appoints lobbyist linked to Atiku’s US campaign to White House commission

US President Donald Trump has appointed Dr Karl Von Batten, managing partner of Washington-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, as a commissioner on a White House presidential commission.

The appointment was announced by Von Batten-Montague-York on Thursday, September 3, 2026, with the lobbying firm describing the development as an honour and recognition of Von Batten’s public service.

The appointment has attracted attention in Nigeria because of the firm’s previous engagement by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

In March, Atiku reportedly hired Von Batten-Montague-York under a 12-month lobbying agreement valued at $1.2 million. The engagement was aimed at promoting Atiku’s policy positions and strengthening his profile among policymakers in Washington.

The firm has also been involved in efforts to obtain historical US government records relating to President Bola Tinubu, including documents connected to a 1993 civil forfeiture case.

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Von Batten’s appointment has therefore raised questions in some Nigerian political circles about the potential implications of his new position, particularly given the lobbying firm’s activities involving prominent Nigerian political figures.

However, there is no evidence that Trump’s decision to appoint Von Batten was influenced by Von Batten-Montague-York’s work for Atiku or its activities concerning Nigerian-related records.

The appointment also does not, on the information available, indicate any official endorsement by the Trump administration of the political interests of Atiku Abubakar or any position relating to President Tinubu.

The development is nevertheless likely to generate further interest in the activities of Washington lobbying firms representing foreign political figures and the extent to which their engagements intersect with US policymaking and public service.