Nigerian Power Politics in Washington DC

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Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar may have lost his bid to become president (though Nigeria's recent elections were "marred by violence and alleged fraud, and results are not yet final"), but it's not for lack of trying. To increase his influence, Abubakar maintains a Washington DC lobbying presence "separate from the embassy, costing him roughly $200,000 over several years," reports The Hill. Abubakar retains Edward Weidenfeld for legal counsel and "support for free and fair elections in Nigeria," according to lobbying registration forms. Weidenfeld, in turn, hired the PR firm Hill & Knowlton "to work on Abubakar's behalf. The firm has taken in more than $22,000 to work on 'U.S. media relations.'" Abubakar previously retained former Rep. J.C. Watts' lobbying firm, and briefly had a contract with Alexander Strategy Group. In addition to fighting for power in Nigeria, Abubakar is fighting allegations that he received "a $90,000 bribe from Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.), who is under investigation by the FBI. ... Abubakar and Jefferson were allegedly working on establishing telecom contracts in Nigeria."