The Washington-based political advisory and lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York has clarified why it removed a social media announcement regarding the purported appointment of its leader, Dr. Karl Von Batten, by United States President Donald Trump.

In a statement released on its official X handle, the firm stated that the deletion followed communication from the White House indicating that Nigerian government officials had repeatedly contacted American offices to object to the appointment. The organization maintained that it never intended to cause a flood of inquiries to the White House and noted that Dr. Von Batten extended an apology for the resulting administrative disruption.

The lobbying firm contended that the Nigerian administration and its representatives are sensitive to the company's ongoing efforts concerning historical records in the United States involving President Bola Tinubu. It pointed to criticisms from presidential spokespersons and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, framing them as attempts to undermine its advocacy.

According to the firm, the Nigerian government initially disputed that any such White House commission appointment had been made. However, the organization asserts that subsequent inquiries by Nigerian officials prompted the White House to verify that President Trump had indeed appointed Dr. Von Batten to the Commission on Presidential Scholars. The firm criticized the reaction from Abuja, asserting that public pushback from Nigerian authorities only drew further attention to the appointment before the post was ultimately taken down.