The Federal Authorities of Nigeria has requested the USA to be cautious in granting visa to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Social gathering, so as to not create the impression of endorsing him for the 2019 election.
The Minister of Info and Tradition, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the federal government place at an interactive session with media executives in Abuja on Thursday, The Punch reviews.
Why US must be cautious in granting visa to Atiku – FG
Mohammed stated the federal government was conscious of the transfer by the previous Vice President to foyer the US to raise the visa ban imposed on him.
He stated, whereas the US has the prerogative of whom to situation visa, it must be aware of the timing, so as to not give the impression that Atiku has been endorsed by the US authorities.
“We perceive and respect the actual fact that it’s the prerogative of the US to grant a visa to anybody who applies.
“Nevertheless, we wish the US to be impartial and be cautious of taking any determination that can give the impression that they’re favouring or endorsing one candidate over the opposite
“Impression should not be created that the US authorities is endorsing one explicit candidate over the opposite,” he stated.
The minister recalled that for years, there was a form of congressional bi-partisan investigation on corruption towards sure people which had made it troublesome for Atiku to safe a US visa.
“I’m certain you’ll all recall the Jefferson’s case and the chilly 90,000 US greenback in fridge.
“We’re not unaware that Atiku has engaged the providers of some lobbyists to influence the US to situation visa to him.
“Our place is that if the previous Vice President is looking for the US visa we now have no drawback about it.
“Nevertheless, we wish the US authorities to not create the impression that it’s endorsing one candidate over the opposite,” he stated.