Atiku-Linked US Lobby Firm Seeks Evidence of Election Interference as PDP Crisis Deepens Over Jonathan Endorsement

A Washington-based lobbying firm retained by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on members of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to submit credible evidence of alleged political interference ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The appeal comes amid escalating tensions within the opposition party over the endorsement of former President Goodluck Jonathan as a presidential candidate by a faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Taminu Turaki.

In a statement released on Friday, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, accused the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) of attempting to frustrate a planned ratification ceremony for Jonathan by allegedly threatening the owners of the event venue.

According to the statement, the management of A Class Event Centre informed the faction that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had allegedly warned that the facility could face sanctions if it hosted the event.

Despite the alleged threat, the faction insisted that the ratification ceremony would proceed as scheduled, maintaining that all necessary requirements, including venue payments and notifications to security agencies, had been fulfilled.

Reacting to the development, US lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., disclosed via its official X account that it had been directed by Atiku Abubakar to advocate for free, fair and transparent elections in Nigeria.

The firm revealed that some members of the United States Congress had sought assistance in documenting credible claims of election-related interference involving the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“We would like to speak with members of the PDP who can provide credible, verifiable and indisputable evidence regarding the reported election interference,” the firm stated, inviting interested individuals to submit information for review.

Von Batten-Montague-York was engaged by Atiku under a $1.2 million lobbying agreement earlier in 2026, aimed at strengthening his profile and political engagement in the United States.

The Jonathan endorsement has further exposed deep divisions within the PDP, with a rival faction aligned with supporters of Wike rejecting the move and questioning the legitimacy of the Turaki-led group.

The rival camp noted that Senator Sandy Onor had already been screened, cleared and officially presented as the party’s presidential candidate following the completion of the PDP’s primary process.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the faction called on security agencies to investigate those behind what it described as efforts to create confusion and undermine the party’s credibility.

Mohammed also urged Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the endorsement, insisting that the party had already concluded its primaries in accordance with the Electoral Act, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines and the PDP constitution.

Meanwhile, the FCTA has announced stricter monitoring of event centres, hotels and public facilities across the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, the administration warned that facilities found hosting gatherings organised by groups deemed illegal could face severe sanctions, including the revocation of land titles.

The administration said the directive forms part of broader efforts to safeguard lives and property and prevent activities capable of disrupting peace and public order in the nation’s capital.

The latest developments have intensified the political drama within the PDP, raising fresh questions about the party’s unity and preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections.