FACT-CHECK: Claim ADC hired US firm with ‘zero revenue’ is misleading

A report by SaharaReporters published on April 4, 2026, alleged that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) engaged a United States lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague York L.C., to influence the Trump administration over INEC’s suspension of its leadership recognition. The report further claimed the firm had just one client, recorded zero revenue in 2025, and held assets of about $5,000.

However, these claims are based on incomplete data and do not present the full picture.

In the United States, lobbying disclosures are split between two systems. Domestic lobbying is reported under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) and tracked by platforms like OpenSecrets. Foreign-related lobbying, on the other hand, falls under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which is managed by the Department of Justice.

Records from OpenSecrets show that Von Batten-Montague York L.C. had one client and reported no revenue in 2025 under LDA filings. But this only reflects domestic lobbying activity and excludes foreign engagements.

FARA records tell a different story. The firm is registered with the DOJ under registration number 7130 and, in April 2026, filed documents for a $1.2 million contract with former Nigerian Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. The agreement, signed in March 2026, covers a range of services including government relations, strategic advisory, and engagement with U.S. policymakers on issues relating to Nigeria.

While there is no public FARA filing that directly lists the ADC as a client, the firm announced plans to brief U.S. Congress and the Trump administration on INEC’s actions affecting the party’s leadership, framing it as a concern for democratic participation ahead of Nigeria’s elections.

The claim that the firm declared assets of $5,000 is also unsubstantiated. Standard LDA and FARA disclosures do not include total asset declarations, and no publicly available document supports this figure.

Additionally, describing the ADC as Nigeria’s “main opposition party” is inaccurate. Based on parliamentary strength and results from the 2023 elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) remain the leading opposition parties.

Verdict: Misleading

The assertion that the firm had only one client and zero revenue in 2025 is misleading because it relies solely on LDA data, which excludes foreign lobbying activities. Verified records show the firm secured a $1.2 million foreign contract in 2026. Other claims, including the $5,000 asset figure and ADC’s status as the main opposition party, are either unsupported or incorrect.