Von Batten-Montague-York, a Washington-based lobbying firm hired by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has vowed to recommend sanctions against Nigerian politicians and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who attempt to manipulate or undermine the country’s electoral process.
The move follows rising global concern over electoral malpractices in Nigeria.
In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, the firm said it would begin spotlighting electoral officials and individuals involved in election rigging, with a view to pushing for punitive measures.
The firm said it would recommend offenders to the office of the US president and Congress for sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans.
“We will recommend to the Office of the President and Congress that Global Magnitsky sanctions be imposed on any Nigerian politician or official of INEC who engages in efforts to rig Nigeria’s ongoing electoral process,” it wrote.
“These measures should include freezing all foreign assets, restricting access to the global financial system, and imposing travel bans on individuals and their immediate family members.”
Von Batten-Montague-York said that although the US State Department has acknowledged INEC’s institutional capacity to conduct credible federal elections, the commission has repeatedly shown weaknesses when confronted with deliberate interference by political actors.
According to the firm, those vulnerabilities were evident during the 2023 elections, noting that “current developments suggest the same pattern may be emerging again.”
Despite the US Congress being on Easter recess, the firm said it is actively engaging key lawmakers and plans to brief congressional leadership and senior officials at the national security council early next week.
“Unlike the Biden Administration, which took no meaningful action in 2023, it is not in President Donald Trump’s nature to remain passive in the face of an election being openly undermined,” it stated.
The firm maintained that its objective is to hold accountable any politicians or INEC officials who compromise the integrity of Nigeria’s elections.
Atiku Abubakar recently hired the firm to protect and strengthen his “reputational standing” in the US.
The agreement, signed by managing partner Karl Von Batten and Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji on March 9 and 10, 2026, outlines plans to counter the Nigerian government’s lobbying narratives in Washington.
According to documents filed with the US Department of Justice, the firm will facilitate meetings between Atiku and US officials and members of Congress, while also providing “guidance on policy positioning, reputational considerations, and engagement strategy.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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