Contrary to reports that the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has been issued United States Visa and may be visiting the country soon, the US Embassy says it has not issued Visa to the former Vice President.
According to Independent newspaper, the Embassy claimed that its position on Atiku has not changed. The report also quoted a family source as saying that Atiku did not even apply for visa from the US Embassy.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has called on the US to be weary of issuing visa to the PDP candidate in order not to appear as endorsing his candidacy.
He said, while the U.S. has the prerogative of whom to issue visa, it should be mindful of the timing, in order not to give the impression that Atiku has been endorsed by the U.S. government.
“We understand and appreciate the fact that it is the prerogative of the U.S. to grant a visa to anyone who applies. However, we want the U.S. to be neutral and be wary of taking any decision that will give the impression that they are favouring or endorsing one candidate over the other
“Impression must not be created that the U.S. government is endorsing one particular candidate over the other.
“I am sure you will all recall the Jefferson’s case and the cold 90,000 U.S. dollar in fridge. We are not unaware that Atiku has engaged the services of some lobbyists to persuade the U.S. to issue visa to him.
“Our position is that if the former Vice President is seeking the U.S. visa we have no problem about it. However, we want the U.S. government not to create the impression that it is endorsing one candidate over the other,’’ he added.
