Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will arrive the United States any moment from now, crossing one of the most serious political hurdles on his path ahead of the upcoming general elections.
Mr Abubakar, sources said, left Nigeria early today, and is expected to land in Washington D.C., the American capital, ending a 12-year deprivation of visa to a country in which he once lived and owned properties.
Mr Abubakar would be speaking at a forum by the American Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C. and attend other meetings aimed at boosting his presidential election standing.
Mr Abubakar’s arrival in the U.S. may rattle the ruling All Progressives Congress, which has taunted him for his inability to enter the U.S. for over a decade.
Mr Abubakar has not visited the U.S. since 2007 when he left as Nigeria’s vice-president. He served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Mr Obasanjo accused Mr Abubakar of fraud while in office, and he was also linked to corruption charges filed in the U.S. The politician denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
For the over 12 years that Mr Abubakar was unable to visit the U.S. American authorities had declined to issue him entry visa and there were speculation that a secret indictment had been entered against him by that country’s authorities.
During his working visit to Washington DC, PDP Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar will engage in bilateral meetings with a high powered, bi-partisan delegation of US congressmen who are deeply concerned and troubled about the future of democracy in Nigeria. The delegation is seeking Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s views on how best the United States can support Nigeria in ensuring democracy at all levels and more importantly ensuring the will of the people prioritised at all times. His Excellency will have several other meetings with business leaders, high ranking US government officials, thought leaders and Nigerians in the diaspora.
The US chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the recent visit of former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar to Washington DC.
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), visited the US after 13 years, and for the first time since he left office as Nigeria’s vice-president.
But the party in a statement issued by Adeshegun Labinjo, chairman, US chapter of APC said the visit does not absolve Atiku of the purported corruption allegations against him and he should still be held accountable.
The statement read: “the questionable character of the individual does not evaporate because he has stepped on the soil of America
“A thief remains a thief no matter where he or she visits. Obviously, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku has every reason to have kept off the USA given the cloak of corruption he is wearing,” the statement read.
“After a long spell of noticeable absence and factual concerns about Alhaji Abubakur Atiku’s antecedents in the USA arising from his dealings with former Congressman William Jefferson of Louisiana, who was convicted and served a jail term on account of bribery resulting from a telecommunication transaction in Nigeria, Atiku is now here again in the US.
“Congressional records point to the fact that Atiku engaged in money laundering through his wife who was then resident in the USA.
“We see Atiku, who is the 2019 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of Nigeria, as a self-centered corrupt Vice President under President Obasanjo’s regime.
“Certainly, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku‘s entry and presence in the USA is a mockery of President Bush Presidential Proclamation 7750 which affirms the denial of US visa to foreign officials involved with corruption and other supporting legislations by the congress. APC-USA believes that Alhaji Abubakar Atiku should be held accountable for his involvement m money laundering.”
Meanwhile:
Nigerians have taken to the social media to express varying opinions, after news emerged that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has finally travelled to the United States of America.
Atiku’s ability to visit the US was shrouded in controversy, over the belief that former Vice President was facing corruption charges.
However, he touched down in Washington on Thursday, where he is expected to speak at the Chamber of Commerce on Friday, from 2:30pm to 4pm on Friday.
As soon as pictures of Atiku in US went viral online, Twitter became agog with mixed reactions.
@ScorecardNG: APC is now hiding in shame. I thought they said Atiku cannot go to US? Nigerian voters can now see how APC descended so low with their shameless lies and propaganda against then person and character of Atiku Abubakar. Where is Lai Mohammed, Garuba Shehu, Keyamo & L. Onochie?
@Hlimited: Policy reversal or changes happens everytime in America or elsewhere with new administration. That Atiku was allowed into US does not negate the fact that he was accuse of wire fraud or taking bribe from Jefferson. He can file a dispute here in US to clear his name in court.
@Onyijackson1: Lol! Bad belle people he is in America life and direct Osho babb etc Big shame for una. by the special grace of God our Next President up Atiku…..hahahhahaha
@adeyemitemida17: Pls @atiku can you report urself to interpol as regards your corruption case in the US…we need a transparent president. Not one that would be smuggled into the US without knowledge of Nigeria embassy in the US….
@AishaYesufu: As a great citizen of Nigeria you decided to sell yourself so cheaply. Atiku in America is what has gotten you hyped? You should weep for yourself.
Atiku, PMB @toluogunlesi are not the losers. The Nigerian people’s are and this fawning over mediocrity got us there.
@adeyemitemida17:I laugh my ass out….@atiku took how many years before he could step his feet in US after lots of pleading …how pathetic that is….feel xo sorry for him now…..
@i_am_Majesty_: if it was only pictures, they will say it was doctored. now there are alot of videos. Tboy(Ogunlesi) might be thinking to say the video was from perhaps 1999-2000.. I watched @fkeyamo say atiku is wanted in the abroad. Atiku has shamed them all in asterisks.
@Usman_Yau_78: Even Rahaf Mohammed didn’t celebrate asylum as much as PDP is celebrating @atiku ‘s USA visit ???. I don’t understand why. Ok now you’re there, what’s next Mr @atiku ..?? I’m just wondering if it will reduce the Crowd in Bauchi, Kogi or Delta…?
@ThaBigSize: The timing of Atiku entering the US one month to the general elections and the way the APC main propaganda about him been rubbished is legendary!
@ChukwudiNwangwu: Atiku trending for doing nothing other than go to America is clearly showcasing how far we have lowered the standard. It further shows that with money, you can get away with almost anything. We worship the #Godoflittlethings & focus on irrelevancies.
