Be Cautious Of Granting Visa To Atiku – FG Tells US

The Federal Government tells the U.S. to be cautious in granting
visa to the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in
order not to create the impression of endorsing him for the 2019
election.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,
gave the government position at an interactive session with media
executives in Abuja on Thursday.

Mohammed said that the government was aware of the move by the
former Vice President to lobby the U.S. to lift the visa ban
imposed on him.

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,’’ he said.

The minister recalled that for years, there has been a kind of
congressional bi-partisan investigation on corruption against
certain individuals which had made it difficult for Atiku to secure
a U.S. visa.

“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
said.

Speaking on security, the minister insisted that despite the
recent set back brought about by attacks on the military, the Boko
Haram insurgents had been largely decimated.

He recalled that when they took over in 2015, Boko Haram was
active in 10 states including the FCT where they chose where and
when to attack

The minister said that 20 of the 27 Local Government Areas in
Borno were under the insurgents where they hoisted their flags
collected taxes and deposed the Emirs.

He said since they took over, no inch of Nigeria territory is
under the control of the insurgents who now operated in the fringes
–Lake Chad Island- to launch guerilla attacks.

“What happened was a set-back and it is not enough to say that
we are losing the war against the Boko Haram.

“We want to appreciate the gallant military who are sacrificing
day and night and those who have lost their lives to protect
Nigeria’s sovereignty,’’ he said.

The Minister added that the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari
to Borno and his ongoing visit to Chad were indications of renewed
vigour to end the war.

Mohammed also denied the allegations that the government was
closing media space against the opposition.

On the arrest of Deji Adeyanju, convener of Concerned Nigerians
by the Police, the minister noted that “being an activist or in the
opposition does not protect anyone from arrest and
prosecution’’.

He said the case had been charged to court and it would be
prejudicial to make further comments on it.

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