The Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) has hired the firm of Brian Ballard, a top US lobbyist, ahead of the 2019
elections.
The influential lobbyist has
President Donald Trump as one of his clients. Politico Magazine, a top
publication in the US, says Ballard is closer to the US president than perhaps
any other lobbyist in town.
“He’s parlayed that relationship
into a booming business helping clients get their way with the Trump
administration — and his clients and even some of his rivals say his firm has a
better grasp of what’s going on in the West Wing than almost anyone else,” the
magazine said in a report.
“Ballard was one of the top
fundraisers in the country for Trump’s campaign and continues to raise millions
for his reelection campaign. Wiles, one of his top lieutenants, ran Trump’s
campaign in Florida and delivered the nation’s biggest swing state to the
president.”
Documents seen showed that
Nigeria’s main opposition party has agreed to pay $90,000 (N31.5m) to Ballard
Partners Inc. on a monthly basis throughout the duration of the contract.
TheCable reports that the
contract which was signed on September 21, 2018 is for a year, meaning Ballard
would rake in close to N400 million from the deal.
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Ballard with Trump at a fundraising ceremony
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“This agreement shall
automatically renew for successive one-year periods on the anniversary of the
effective date of the agreement unless either party terminates the agreement.
Upon renewal this agreement may be terminated within thirty (30) days written
notice by either party.
“Duties of the firm. It shall be
the Firm’s duty to consult with the Client and advocate on its behalf those
issues the client deems necessary and appropriate before the US Federal
government. Issues and objectives may include, but not be limited to,
enhancement of US Nigerian relations; strengthening and advancing democratic
values and the rule of law in Nigeria, with a special focus in the coming
months on maintaining political and security conditions free of intimidation
and interference in order to ensure the success and fairness of Nigeria’s
national election for president in 2019. It shall further be the Firm’s duty to
inform the Client of developments in legislation and policy relevant to the
Client’s issues and objectives.
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| Ballard the master strategist |
“It shall be the Client’s duty to
provide the Firm the information necessary to best represent the Client. It
shall also be the Client’s duty to timely compensate the Firm for its services.
“Compensation. The Firm shall
receive from the Client $90,000 a month, payable in quarterly installments for
this agreement, plus the reasonable costs associated with the representation,
including but not limited to, necessary registration fees; and travel
expenses.”
Osita Chidoka, a former minister
of aviation, signed the contract on behalf of the PDP.
This report comes two weeks after
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the party, led PDP stalwarts to Dubai
for a strategy meeting.
In 2014, APC engaged AKPD Media
and Messages, a top US firm, as political strategists.
The political consulting firm was
co-founded by David Axelrod, a President Barack Obama confidant. He was a chief
campaign adviser to Obama during the campaign for the presidency in 2008 and
was later appointed as senior presidential advisor.
Another US firm Levick, led by
former US President Bill Clinton’s confidant Lanny Davis, was hired by the
Jonathan administration in a consultancy deal with the News Agency of Nigeria,
also in 2014.
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