Politics
2027: Atiku Signs $1.2m US Lobbying Deal to Engage Trump
2027: Atiku Signs $1.2m US Lobbying Deal to Engage Trump
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has sealed a $1.2 million US lobbying deal as part of efforts to boost his international image and counter narratives linked to the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
Documents filed under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act show that Atiku engaged Washington-based firm Von Batten-Montague-York in an agreement signed in early March 2026. The contract was executed by the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, alongside Fabiyi Oladimeji, who represented Atiku.
The Atiku US lobbying deal is aimed at strengthening his standing within American political and policy circles while projecting his leadership vision to key stakeholders. A major component of the engagement is to counter Nigerian government lobbying narratives in Washington and reshape perceptions about Nigeria’s opposition politics.
Under the agreement, the lobbying firm will facilitate high-level meetings between Atiku and influential U.S. figures, including members of Congress, congressional aides, and officials within the executive branch. The outreach is also expected to include engagement with Donald Trump and other senior policymakers, underscoring the strategic importance of U.S. political influence.
The contract states that lobbying activities will focus on democratic governance, economic growth, regional stability, and US-Nigeria relations, positioning Atiku as a key voice on issues affecting West Africa. In addition to political access, the firm will provide strategic communication services, including message development, narrative positioning, and reputation management targeted at elite audiences in the United States.
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Valued at $1.2 million, the agreement will run for 12 months, with payments structured in six instalments over the duration. Analysts say the US lobbying strategy by Atiku Abubakar reflects early preparations for the 2027 presidential race, where he is expected to remain a central opposition figure.
The development also comes amid internal challenges within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a platform recently adopted by Atiku and other opposition leaders. The party is currently facing a leadership dispute following actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which reportedly withdrew recognition from factions linked to David Mark and Nafiu Bala.
The lobbying firm has indicated it will raise concerns with U.S. authorities over the ADC crisis, warning that INEC’s decision could hinder the opposition’s ability to organise effectively ahead of the next general election. It described the situation as one that could affect political participation and democratic competitiveness in Nigeria.
The firm also called on President Tinubu to ensure that future elections remain credible and reflect the will of the people, highlighting increasing international attention on Nigeria’s democratic process.
Political analysts believe the Atiku lobbying effort in the United States signals a broader trend where Nigerian political actors seek to influence global opinion, attract diplomatic support, and strengthen their positioning ahead of major elections.
2027: Atiku Signs $1.2m US Lobbying Deal to Engage Trump
Politics
Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge: Hamzat, Gbadamosi Clash Over N29bn Cost, Toll Collection
Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has defended the construction of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge following allegations of public funds mismanagement by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) deputy governorship candidate, Babatunde Gbadamosi.
The two politicians exchanged words over the cost, financing and toll collection arrangements for the 1.68-kilometre bridge, which was constructed during the administration of former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, when Hamzat served as Commissioner for Works.
Hamzat, in a statement on Monday, described the bridge as a landmark infrastructure project that had improved connectivity and eased traffic for commuters travelling within Lagos.
He said the decision to construct the bridge was driven by the need to reduce time spent in traffic, ease the burden on motorists and improve access to the Lekki Peninsula.
According to him, the project was delivered in collaboration with Fashola and represented an important milestone in Lagos State’s infrastructure development.
The deputy governor said the bridge had become an iconic feature of the Lagos skyline, arguing that its impact on commuters could not be dismissed by political criticism or attempts to rewrite history.
“Critics may try to rewrite history, make unfair comparisons or turn progress into a political argument but they cannot erase the difference this bridge has made in the lives of the millions of people who use it,” he said.
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Hamzat maintained that his commitment to public service remained focused on transparency, infrastructure development and improving the living conditions of Lagos residents.
He also challenged critics of the project to demonstrate their own contributions to infrastructure development.
“When anyone attempts to undermine projects that have made life better for Lagosians, one simple question is worth asking: What have they built?” he added.
However, Gbadamosi, in a statement published on October 31, questioned the cost of the 1.68-kilometre Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, alleging that the project raised concerns about the management of public funds under the Fashola administration.
He recalled that Fashola announced in 2013 that the bridge had been fully funded by Lagos taxpayers at a cost of N29 billion, which Gbadamosi estimated at approximately $195 million.
To support his criticism, the ADC chieftain compared the Lagos project with China’s 42-kilometre Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, which he said cost approximately $2.3 billion.
He argued that the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge was considerably more expensive on a per-kilometre basis, putting its cost at approximately $143 million per kilometre, compared with $55 million for the Chinese bridge.
Gbadamosi also questioned the arrangement that allowed a private company to collect tolls on the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge, alleging that the company did not finance its construction.
The toll collection arrangement has been a subject of public debate, with the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) officially identified as the operator of the bridge’s toll plaza since June 2016.
Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge: Hamzat, Gbadamosi Clash Over N29bn Cost, Toll Collection
Politics
2027: Datti Baba-Ahmed Threatens to Expose More Secrets About Peter Obi, Warns Obidients
2027: Datti Baba-Ahmed Threatens to Expose More Secrets About Peter Obi, Warns Obidients
Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has warned supporters of Peter Obi, popularly known as Obidients, against attacking him over his recent comments about the former Anambra State governor, threatening to make further damaging revelations about the 2023 presidential campaign.
Baba-Ahmed, who served as Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, said he had more information to disclose about what transpired during their political partnership, insisting that attacks from Obi’s supporters would not silence him.
He made the remarks during an interview with Symfoni TV, where he accused some Obidients of attacking anyone who expresses views contrary to their expectations about their political principal.
“Obidients are always eager to attack me. I have more damaging things to reveal. You attack me because I told you the truth about Peter Obi,” he said.
The former senator’s outburst comes amid growing disagreements over Peter Obi’s political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly discussions surrounding a possible alliance or presidential ticket involving former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Baba-Ahmed had argued that an Obi-Kwankwaso ticket might struggle to attract sufficient support in Northern Nigeria, claiming that his experience during the 2023 campaign had exposed significant challenges facing Obi in the region.
He recalled that shortly after joining Obi on the Labour Party ticket in 2022, he had to contend with controversies surrounding allegations that northerners were required to obtain identification cards in Anambra State, the demolition of a mosque and the leaked telephone conversation between Obi and the founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo.
According to Baba-Ahmed, these controversies created difficulties for the campaign in Northern Nigeria, forcing him to personally undertake efforts to address the concerns and convince voters to support Obi.
He claimed that he took Obi to several locations, including Borno, Kano and Zaria, to counter the allegations and improve his acceptance among northern voters.
Baba-Ahmed maintained that his assessment of the political challenges surrounding Obi remained valid, insisting that his comments were based on his personal experience as the former presidential candidate’s running mate.
His latest remarks have further exposed the growing tension between him and sections of the Obidient movement, whose members have criticised him over his perceived opposition to Obi’s political decisions.
The former vice-presidential candidate, however, insisted that he would not be intimidated into silence, warning that he had more revelations to make if the attacks against him continued.
The development adds another dimension to the political realignments and disagreements unfolding among opposition figures as preparations gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election.
The allegations and recollections concerning the 2023 campaign remain Baba-Ahmed’s claims and have not been independently established.
2027: Datti Baba-Ahmed Threatens to Expose More Secrets About Peter Obi, Warns Obidients
Politics
Umahi Disowns Peter Obi, Says South East Has No Presidential Candidate for 2027
Umahi Disowns Peter Obi, Says South East Has No Presidential Candidate for 2027
ABUJA – The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has stirred the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that the South-East geopolitical zone currently has no presidential candidate.
Speaking during a political event on Sunday, Umahi specifically dismissed the presidential ambitions of Mr. Peter Obi, the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), stating that the former Anambra State Governor does not represent the interest of the region.
The Minister’s comments come amid rising political realignments as the nation looks toward the next electoral cycle. While Peter Obi, who was the Labour Party (LP) flagbearer in the 2023 election, has maintained a strong grassroots following, Umahi insisted that the South-East does not have a “consensus” candidate.
Addressing supporters, Umahi, who is a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), emphasized that the South-East is not yet ready to project a candidate for the presidency. He described the NDC and its candidate as lacking the structure and national appeal required to secure the highest office in the land.
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“Let me be clear: there is no presidential candidate in the South-East in the 2027 general election,” Umahi stated. “We are not just looking for a candidate; we are looking for a President. As it stands, the region has not produced a candidate that we can all rally around.”
The Minister’s dismissal of Obi is seen as a significant political statement, highlighting the ongoing fragmentation within the South-East political elite. While Obi enjoys a massive cult-like following—often referred to as the “Obidient” movement—his relationship with key political figures in the region, particularly those in the APC, has soured since the 2023 elections.
Umahi’s remarks suggest a strategic shift by the ruling party to consolidate its grip on the South-East, potentially sidelining the Labour Party/NDC influence in the region. By declaring that there is “no candidate,” Umahi may be signaling that the APC is open to negotiations or that the region should align with the national ruling party to secure developmental benefits, rather than running a “lone race” that may end in defeat.
Political analysts suggest that Umahi’s statement is a direct attack on the viability of the NDC and Peter Obi’s renewed bid. It remains to be seen how Peter Obi’s supporters and the leadership of the NDC will respond to the Minister’s assertion that the South-East has no candidate.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, the battle for the soul of the South-East—and the definition of its true political leadership—is clearly heating up.
Umahi Disowns Peter Obi, Says South East Has No Presidential Candidate for 2027
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