Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is clearly not waiting for 2027 to get serious. In what looks like a major political image move, the former presidential candidate has reportedly hired a Washington-based lobbying firm to help improve his standing in the United States and shape how he is perceived in key foreign policy circles.
According to documents filed with the US Department of Justice, Atiku entered into an agreement with Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., a lobbying and public affairs firm based in Washington, D.C. The deal, which was reportedly signed in March 2026, is said to be focused on strengthening Atiku’s image among U.S. policymakers and countering what the document described as narratives being pushed by the Nigerian government.
In simple terms, this is more than just PR. It is a political positioning move.
The contract reportedly outlines plans for the firm to help Atiku gain better visibility among members of Congress, executive branch officials, and other influential stakeholders in Washington. It also includes helping him communicate his leadership style, policy ideas, and political direction to people who matter in international diplomacy and foreign affairs.
Part of the strategy, according to the filing, is to “counterbalance” the Nigerian government’s lobbying efforts in the U.S. while promoting Atiku’s own political posture as a serious democratic actor in Nigeria and the wider West African region.
That means the former vice-president is not only thinking about local politics anymore — he is also trying to shape how global power centres see him ahead of what many already believe could be another presidential run.
The reported deal is worth $1.2 million over 12 months, to be paid in six instalments. That is not small money, and it shows how much importance is being placed on international image-building at a time when Nigeria’s opposition space is still looking shaky and fragmented.
And that is where the timing becomes very interesting.
This move is coming at a moment when Atiku is still being strongly linked with the 2027 presidential race, especially as the opposition continues to search for a united front strong enough to challenge President Bola Tinubu. With the African Democratic Congress (ADC) now caught in a messy leadership crisis and INEC stepping into the dispute, the opposition is once again looking unstable at a time it should be organising.
So while some people may see this U.S. lobbying effort as a smart international strategy, others will likely ask a harder question: why is so much attention going abroad when the real political battle is still at home?
Still, Atiku’s camp may argue that perception matters — especially in a world where diplomacy, global partnerships, and foreign credibility can influence investor confidence, policy support, and even political legitimacy.
Interestingly, the filing also suggests that the firm will engage U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump and lawmakers, over concerns that recent decisions by INEC could weaken what it described as Nigeria’s “main opposition party.” It also reportedly urged Tinubu to ensure future elections are free, credible, and truly reflect the will of the people.
That part alone tells you this is not just about Atiku’s image — it is also about shaping the global political conversation around Nigeria ahead of 2027.
Whether this move helps him or backfires is another matter entirely.
But one thing is obvious: Atiku is already moving like a man who has not ruled himself out of the next presidential battle.