Why we deleted Trump appointment post—Atiku’s US lobbyist

US-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. has explained why it deleted a social media announcement claiming its managing partner, Dr Karl Von Batten, had been appointed by President Donald Trump to a White House commission, alleging the move followed pressure from Nigerian government officials.

In a statement posted on X on Saturday, the firm said the post was pulled after the White House informed Von Batten that Nigerian officials had repeatedly contacted the administration to raise concerns over the appointment. According to the firm, the Nigerian Presidency initially denied the appointment had taken place before reaching out to the White House to verify the claim, which was subsequently confirmed.

“Now that the Presidency’s lie has collapsed, like children throwing a tantrum, they have seized on the fact that we deleted the appointment announcement. For the record, we deleted the post after the White House informed Dr. Von Batten that the “silly” Nigerian government was repeatedly calling and “whining” about the appointment. Key word: whining. It was never our intention for the Nigerian government to inundate the White House with phone calls. Dr. Von Batten apologized to the White House for the inconvenience and promised to continue living rent-free in President Tinubu’s head.”

The firm confirmed Von Batten’s appointment was to the Commission on Presidential Scholars, an education-focused body under the US Department of Education, a position the Nigerian Presidency has since sought to downplay. Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare had earlier clarified that the commission holds no responsibility for US foreign policy, national security, diplomacy or Nigeria-US relations, distinguishing it from a policymaking role within the White House.

The disagreement forms part of an escalating dispute between the lobbying firm and officials of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Von Batten-Montague-York has in recent weeks intensified scrutiny of Tinubu’s past dealings with US drug-enforcement authorities, filing Freedom of Information Act requests and lawsuits to access relevant American government records tied to longstanding FBI allegations linking the Nigerian leader to a 1980s and 1990s heroin-smuggling investigation.

The firm has also accused senior Nigerian officials of misappropriating US-funded World Bank loans, claims it says Von Batten raised directly with members of Trump’s team. It further alleged that presidential aide Sunday Dare, special adviser on information Bayo Onanuga, and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo have each publicly criticised the firm or Von Batten, predicting Vice President Kashim Shettima would be the next senior official to weigh in.

Responding to the controversy, Von Batten said he was proud to have been considered for a role in the Trump administration, whether paid or unpaid, stressing his involvement centred on recognising outstanding American students and had no bearing on foreign policy matters.

The dispute traces back to Von Batten’s firm being retained earlier this year by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress’s (ADC) presidential candidate, under a reported $1.2million, 12-month agreement to bolster his reputation in the US ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 election. Since securing the contract, the firm has grown increasingly vocal in its criticism of the Tinubu administration.