Former Nigerian vice president, Atiku Abubakar’s engaged lobbyist in the United States, Dr Karl Von Batten, has been appointed as a Commissioner on a @WhiteHouse presidential commission.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued to journalists in Abuja by the President of the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, Chief Akin Malaolu, who said Von Batten-Montague-York announced the appointment on Thursday, describing it as an honour and recognition of Von Batten’s commitment to public service and leadership.
“Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. is proud to announce that President Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) has appointed our Managing Partner, Dr. Karl Von Batten, to serve the United States of America as a Commissioner on a @WhiteHouse presidential commission.
“Dr. Von Batten is deeply grateful to President Trump (The Chief) for this appointment and for the confidence placed in him. This presidential appointment represents a tremendous honor and reflects Dr. Von Batten’s longstanding commitment to public service, leadership, and our nation. Dr. Von Batten looks forward to answering the call to serve our President and country.”
The appointment has attracted particular interest in Nigeria because the same lobbying firm was reportedly retained earlier this year by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign associated with Atiku under a $1.2 million, 12-month agreement for government-affairs, strategic-advisory and lobbying services in the United States.
The arrangement, reportedly registered under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act, was designed to facilitate engagement with US policymakers, including members of Congress and executive-branch officials, while advancing Atiku’s policy positions and international profile.
Okay, what exactly does this mean to Mr. Atiku Abubakar’s investigational plight? Then again, what does that mean to the court system and how they handle the issue?
But on a more sinister note, knowing that President Donald J. Trump is a transactional person. Then, that leads to the questions: 1) Has the appointment as a commissioner by President Trump compromised Dr. Von Batten-Montague York’s job and loyalty to Atiku’s mission? 2) Knowing that Trump is a transactional person, what has President Tinubu promised Trump to arrange for this position?