Brian Ballard
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hired 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 by TheCable showed that Nigeria’s main opposition
party has agreed to pay $90,000 (N31.5m) to Ballard on a monthly basis
throughout the duration of the contract.
TheCable understands 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.
“This contract is entered into between the Peoples Democratic
Party of Nigeria (“the Client”), Plot l970 Michael Okpara Street, Wuse
Zone 5, Abuja, and Ballard Partners, Inc. (“the F irm”), 601 13th Street
NW, Suite 450N, Washington, D. C. 20005,” the agreement read.
“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.
“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.
Source: TheCable