President Donald Trump of the United States has reportedly appointed Dr Karl Von Batten, managing partner of VonBatten-Montague-York, L.C., to serve as a commissioner on a White House presidential commission.

This was announced by Von Batten’s firm in a statement shared on social media on Wednesday.

The firm said Von Batten expressed appreciation to Trump for the appointment and the confidence reposed in him.

“Dr. Von Batten is deeply grateful to President Trump (The Chief) for this appointment and for the confidence placed in him,” the statement said.

Describing the appointment as an honour, the firm said it underscored Von Batten’s longstanding commitment to public service, leadership and the United States.

The development has attracted attention in Nigeria because Von Batten’s firm has been linked in recent months to lobbying activities concerning US government records relating to President Bola Tinubu.

The reported appointment also comes amid controversy over lobbying activities allegedly undertaken in the United States on behalf of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in connection with matters concerning Tinubu.

Reports about the lobbying efforts have triggered political reactions in Nigeria, with supporters of the President and opposition figures offering contrasting interpretations of the activities and their implications.

However, Von Batten’s reported appointment to the presidential commission does not, in itself, establish any connection between his new role and the lobbying activities involving Nigerian political figures.

The statement announcing the appointment did not disclose the name of the presidential commission, its specific mandate or the responsibilities Von Batten would assume as a commissioner.

Further details about the commission and the circumstances surrounding Von Batten’s appointment were not immediately available.