A Yoruba leader, Chief Akin Malaolu, has said the United States government’s appointment of Karl Von Batten, managing partner of Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, shows that President Donald Trump has a soft spot for presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar.
Malaolu made the claim in a statement on Thursday.
Recall that the Trump administration appointed Karl Von Batten, Atiku’s lobbyist, as a commissioner of the White House Presidential Commission.
Reacting to the development, Malaolu said:
“While there is no evidence that Trump’s appointment was made because of Von Batten’s relationship with Atiku, the coincidence is politically significant and demonstrates the level of access and institutional credibility surrounding the Washington-based lobbyist.
“For the opposition, the development is a reminder that Nigeria’s political contest ahead of 2027 is no longer confined to the domestic arena.
“The battle over Nigeria’s democratic credentials, economic direction, governance and international reputation is increasingly being fought in global policy centres, particularly Washington.”
Von Batten has been at the forefront of demands for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, to release records relating to President Tinubu’s alleged drug trafficking case.
Karl Von Batten’s appointment shows Trump has soft spot for Atiku — Yoruba leader Malaolu