A US-based political lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has broken its silence over the deletion of a social media post announcing the reported appointment of its leader, Dr Karl Von Batten, by US President Donald Trump.
The firm said the post was deleted after it was contacted by the White House over alleged complaints from the Nigerian government concerning Von Batten’s reported appointment.
In a statement on its verified X account on Saturday, the firm claimed that Nigerian officials had repeatedly contacted the White House about the appointment.
The firm said it did not intend to trigger what it described as a series of calls to the White House and claimed Von Batten apologised for the situation.
It also alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was unhappy with its activities and accused government spokespersons and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, of criticising the organisation.
The firm further claimed that the Nigerian Presidency initially denied Von Batten’s reported appointment to the Commission on Presidential Scholars before the White House later confirmed it.
However, the firm’s claims about the alleged communications between Nigerian officials and the White House have not been independently verified.
The controversy has placed fresh attention on Von Batten’s reported role in US political affairs and the growing dispute between the lobbying firm and officials of the Nigerian government.
Neither the Nigerian Presidency nor the White House has, in the material available, publicly confirmed the lobbying firm’s account of the alleged calls.