A claim that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) hired a United States lobbying firm with “zero revenue” has been found to be misleading after a closer examination of official disclosure records.
The report, which cited OpenSecrets data, stated that Von Batten-Montague York L.C. had only one client and generated no income in 2025.
However, this conclusion was based solely on records filed under the US Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), which captures domestic lobbying activities and does not include work carried out for foreign clients.
In contrast, filings under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), maintained by the US Department of Justice, reveal that the firm is actively engaged in foreign lobbying.
In April 2026, it registered a $1.2 million contract linked to Atiku Abubakar, covering advisory services, engagement with US policymakers, and strategic communication on Nigeria-related issues.
Although no filing explicitly lists the ADC as the direct client, the firm has publicly indicated it intends to engage US authorities on matters concerning Nigeria’s electoral process, including disputes involving the party.
The fact-check also found no verifiable evidence supporting claims that the firm declared assets of just $5,000, noting that standard LDA and FARA filings do not typically disclose total asset values.
Additionally, describing the ADC as Nigeria’s “main opposition party” is inaccurate. Opposition strength in the National Assembly is largely held by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), based on electoral outcomes and parliamentary representation.
Verdict: The “zero revenue” narrative is misleading, as it ignores foreign lobbying disclosures and relies on incomplete data.
