In an interview with VOA Hausa Service in Washington DC, Alhaji
Atiku Abubakar said stories that he was banned from the United States
was ‘disinformation’.
He spoke on Thursday, after his arrival to the US capital, where he lodged at Trump International Hotel.
Here is the transcript of the interview conducted by VOA’s Aliyu Mustapha Sokoto
VOA: What has been in the news for many years has
come to past right now I’m together with the former Vice President of
Nigeria and the Presidential flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) after he had just returned from some interactive session with
some high ranking Congress Men and Women. Your excellency, now that you
have visited Washington D.C, does it have to do with those who said you
cannot come to the United State of America or the visit is for what
purpose?
Atiku: Aliyu I told you before that my coming to
the United State is in the hands of Americans if they decided to issue a
Visa to me I will definitely come and if they refused to give me I
cannot come. And now they have issued it to me and I am here. I’m having
some positive discussions with some of the officials. I was in the
Congress and I had discussions with some high ranking Congress men and
Women about Nigeria and how Nigeria intends to improve her relationship
with the United States of America.
VOA: After visiting the Congress, do you intend to meet with some other people?
Atiku: Yes, by tomorrow (Friday) I will go to the State Department in order to have vital discussions with some of their officials.
VOA: Will you also meet with the members of the United States Chamber of Commerce?
Atiku: Yes, I will meet them tomorrow (Friday) by the Grace of God.
VOA: Who invited you to the United State?
Atiku: I was invited by many organizations in United States.
VOA: Before some people are saying that you cannot
come to the United States of America but now you are here people will
stop doubting.
Atiku: The whole thing is about misinformation
VOA: What do you mean by misinformation?
Atiku: Because for a very long time they have been
lying to them (Nigerians) and they agreed; I tried to explain to them
but they refused to listen. And I hope now people are going to
understand.
VOA: Your coming to America has shown that you are
going to have some interactions with some top officials of the United
State are they in support of your candidacy?
Atiku: Yes.
VOA: Are you convinced that the United States Government are in support of your candidacy?
Atiku: There is no doubt because the United State is ready to support any country that is practicing democracy.
VOA: People know you as a businessman; do you
think that your business background and experience will influence the
United States Government to support you?
Atiku: One good thing is that Nigeria is a country
that is practicing democracy and everyone knows that we have played a
significant role and have done a lot to sustain democratic governance in
Nigeria and it is very important.
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