A US-based lobbying firm hired by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has signaled that it would urge direct intervention from former US President Donald Trump in Nigeria’s unfolding election crisis, warning that attempts to undermine the 2027 electoral process could trigger international scrutiny.
ENigeria Newspaper has learnt that the firm, contracted to counterbalance federal government narratives and protect Atiku’s image abroad, said it would push for targeted sanctions against officials or politicians involved in election rigging, including travel bans and asset freezes, if the integrity of Nigeria’s elections is compromised.
The Washington-based company Von Batten-Montague-York said it is already calling for punishment for Nigerian politicians and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who are accused of rigging elections.
In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, the firm stressed that the current US leadership would take a tougher stance compared to previous years.
“Unlike the Biden Administration, which took no meaningful action in 2023, it is not in President Donald Trump’s nature to remain passive in the face of an election being openly undermined,” the firm stated.
It added that it would recommend sanctions under the Global Magnitsky framework, including asset freezes, restrictions from the global financial system, and travel bans for offenders and their immediate family members.
“We will recommend to the Office of the President and Congress that Global Magnitsky sanctions be imposed on any Nigerian politician or official of INEC who engages in efforts to rig Nigeria’s ongoing electoral process,” the firm said.
The development comes amid renewed concerns over the credibility of Nigeria’s elections, with the firm arguing that while INEC has the institutional capacity to deliver credible polls, it has repeatedly shown weaknesses when confronted with political interference.
The company says that these problems were clear during the 2023 general elections and that recent events suggest that similar problems may be on the rise.
Even though the US Congress is on Easter break, the company said it is already talking to important lawmakers and plans to brief congressional leaders and high-ranking officials at the US National Security Council next week.
Recall that Atiku Abubakar simply hired the lobbying firm to improve his reputation in the United States. According to documents provided to the US Department of Justice, the agreement, which was signed in March 2026, involves efforts to counter the Nigerian government’s lobbying messaging in Washington.
As part of the deal, the company is expected to mediate meetings between Atiku and US government officials in addition to providing guidance on policy stances, reputational issues, and international engagement tactics.
