World
Trump appoints Atiku’s US lobbyist, Karl Von Batten, to White House commission amid push for Tinubu’s records
President Donald Trump has appointed Dr Karl Von Batten, managing partner of Washington-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., to serve as a commissioner on a White House presidential commission.
The firm announced the appointment in a statement, describing it as a major honour for its managing partner and a recognition of his commitment to public service.
“Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. is proud to announce that President Donald J. Trump has appointed our Managing Partner, Dr. Karl Von Batten, to serve the United States of America as a Commissioner on a White House presidential commission,” the statement said.
Von Batten expressed gratitude to Trump for the appointment, describing it as a tremendous honour and a reflection of the confidence placed in him.
“Dr. Von Batten is deeply grateful to President Trump (The Chief) for this appointment and for the confidence placed in him,” the firm said.
The development comes months after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar engaged Von Batten-Montague-York for lobbying and government affairs activities in the United States.
Documents filed with the US Department of Justice showed that the agreement, signed in March 2026, was aimed at strengthening Atiku’s reputational standing in the US, promoting his policy positions and facilitating engagements with US government officials and members of Congress. The reported value of the 12-month arrangement was $1.2 million.
The firm has subsequently been active in Washington on issues relating to Nigeria, including sharing records concerning President Bola Tinubu with officials of the Trump administration and members of Congress.
The latest appointment is therefore likely to attract attention in Nigeria, coming amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 presidential election and heightened exchanges between the Tinubu and Atiku camps.
The firm said Von Batten was looking forward to taking up the new public service role.
“Dr. Von Batten looks forward to answering the call to serve our President and country,” the statement added.
Von Batten-Montague-York congratulated its managing partner on what it described as a distinguished honour and wished him success in his new role.
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