United States President Donald Trump has appointed Karl Von Batten, a Nigerian-born lobbyist with ties to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to serve as a commissioner on a White House presidential commission.
The appointment was announced on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., the Washington-based advisory firm where Von Batten serves as managing partner, confirmed the news on its verified X account the following morning.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the firm described the appointment as a significant honour for both Von Batten and the organisation, noting his gratitude to President Trump for the confidence placed in him.
Von Batten had previously worked as a paid lobbyist for Atiku Abubakar under a Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) disclosure, reportedly aimed at strengthening the opposition figure’s standing in Washington. His firm has also drawn attention in recent months over its campaign pushing for the release of US records linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The development has stirred debate in Nigerian political circles, with some commentators questioning the significance of the appointment and its possible implications ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
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