Atiku’s US firm has alleged that officials of the Tinubu administration held a meeting before the court ruling that nullified the ADC leadership. The Washington lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, says the meeting followed Wednesday’s rally in Sokoto. It links that meeting to Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment in Abuja. However, the firm has not published evidence that the meeting took place or that anyone influenced the judge.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on 5 November 2026. He nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC and the decisions taken under it, including Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate. The ADC has rejected the ruling and says its lawyers will seek a stay of execution and appeal.
The claims at a glance
| Who is alleging | Von Batten-Montague-York, a US lobbying firm retained by Atiku |
| The claim | A meeting after the Sokoto rally led to the ADC ruling |
| Evidence shown | None made public |
| What the firm plans | To raise the matter with the Trump administration and Congress |
| The judge | Justice Peter Lifu, who has not commented in the reports reviewed |
| Government reaction | Minister Festus Keyamo defended the judgment |
The firm has a financial interest in the dispute. Reports say Atiku hired it under a US Foreign Agents Registration Act contract worth about $1.2 million a year. Its founder, Dr Karl Von Batten, is a lobbyist and not a US government official. The Nigerian government has said his comments represent only the view of a person linked to Atiku’s political interests.
The firm also singled out Keyamo over his reaction to the ruling. It said it would present his post to officials in Washington as part of its complaint. It warned President Bola Tinubu of political consequences in the coming months. Keyamo has said the judgment rests on legal grounds and should not be judged by political sentiment.
No evidence has been established showing that the Presidency directed or influenced the judgment, TheNigeriaLawyer notes. The ruling arose from a suit by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC deputy national chairman for the North-East, who challenged how the Mark-led caretaker leadership took charge of the party.
This report presents allegations made by the firm. It does not establish any claim as fact and does not suggest wrongdoing by the judge. Sojworldnews could not find a response from the Presidency to the meeting claim. We will update this story if one is issued.
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