US Firm Threatens Sanctions Against Politicians, INEC Officials Over Election Rigging

A Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has vowed to recommend sanctions against Nigerian politicians and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) found attempting to manipulate or undermine the country’s electoral process.

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Naija News reports that the firm’s position comes amid growing international concern over rising cases of electoral malpractice in Nigeria.

In a statement posted on its 𝕏 handle on Wednesday, the firm said it would begin spotlighting electoral officials and individuals involved in election rigging in the country.

It added that such offenders would be recommended to the office of the United States President and Congress for global sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans.

The firm stated, “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.

“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.”

Firm Raises Concerns Over INEC

Von Batten-Montague-York said that although the US State Department had acknowledged that INEC possesses the institutional capacity to conduct credible federal electi ons, the electoral body had repeatedly shown weakness in the face of deliberate interference by political actors.

According to the firm, those vulnerabilities were exposed during the 2023 general elections.

It added that “current developments suggest the same pattern may be emerging again.”

The lobbying firm further disclosed that although the US Congress is currently on Easter recess, it has continued to share the State Department’s concerns with key lawmakers and plans to brief congressional leadership and senior officials at the US 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 said its objective was to ensure accountability for any politician or INEC official found compromising the integrity of Nigeria’s elections.

Atiku’s Link To Lobbying Firm

The development comes on the heels of the recent engagement of the US firm by former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, to protect and strengthen his “reputational standing” in the United States.

The contract was signed by the firm’s Managing Partner, Karl Von Batten, and Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji on March 9 and 10, 2026, respectively.

According to documents filed with the US Department of Justice, one of the contract’s objectives is for the firm to “counterbalance” the Nigerian government’s “lobbying narratives” in the US.

Under the agreement, the firm is expected to facilitate and arrange meetings between Atiku and US government officials and members of Congress.