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
States 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 the 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 States are they in
support of your candidacy?
Atiku: Yes.
VOA: Are you convinced that the United States Government is
in support of your candidacy?
Atiku: There is no doubt because the United States 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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