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’.
Atiku
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?
How long more can Nigerians wait?
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
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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.
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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.
Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/my-us-
ban-was-disinformation-atiku/
