Trump Appoints Atiku’s $1.2m US Lobbyist Karl Von Batten to White House Commission


 

By Abdullahi Musa 


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

The lobbying firm announced Von Batten’s appointment in a statement posted on its official X account on Thursday.

According to the firm, the appointment was made by Trump and represents a significant honour for Von Batten, who it said has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to public service and leadership.

“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 firm said.

The firm added that Von Batten was “deeply grateful” to Trump for the appointment and the confidence placed in him.

It said he looked forward to responding to the call to serve the President and the United States.

The appointment comes months after former Nigerian Vice-President Atiku Abubakar engaged Von Batten-Montague-York under a 12-month, $1.2 million government affairs and strategic advisory agreement.

Documents filed under the United States Foreign Agents Registration Act showed that the firm was retained to provide strategic advisory services, including engagement with US policymakers and institutions, policy positioning and reputational management for Atiku. 


The firm has also been active on Nigerian political issues, particularly matters involving the administration of President Bola Tinubu. It has previously said it was engaging US officials over issues concerning Nigeria's governance, security and alleged political intimidation. 


Von Batten’s new role therefore places an individual who has recently been involved in US lobbying on behalf of a prominent Nigerian opposition politician in a presidential commission under the Trump administration.

The firm congratulated its managing partner on what it described as a “distinguished honour” and wished him success in his new public service role.

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