INEC Officials, Politicians Face Possible US Sanctions Push, Says Lobby Firm

A Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has said it will push for international sanctions against Nigerian political actors and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission if they are found to have interfered in elections.

The firm made the statement on Wednesday, saying it intends to present cases to the United States presidency and Congress under the Global Magnitsky framework. Proposed penalties include asset freezes, travel restrictions, and limits on access to the international financial system for affected individuals and their immediate families.

It also claimed that election management in Nigeria has continued to show weaknesses when exposed to deliberate interference by political actors, despite prior assessments by US officials that the electoral body has the capacity to conduct credible elections. The firm pointed to the 2023 elections as an example and warned that similar patterns could reappear.

Although the US Congress is currently on recess, the firm said it is already engaging lawmakers and plans to brief senior security officials in the coming days.

The group further stated that it intends to document and highlight the actions of any Nigerian politician or election official accused of undermining electoral integrity.

The lobbying firm was recently engaged by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. According to filing documents submitted to the US Department of Justice, the agreement signed in March 2026 includes work to strengthen his public positioning in the United States.

Under the arrangement, the firm is expected to support meetings with US officials and lawmakers, advise on policy messaging, and manage aspects of reputational strategy.

The filing also indicates that the firm will work to counter competing narratives about Nigerian government lobbying efforts in the United States.