Why I Travelled To US ― Atiku

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s Interview with Aliyu Mustapha Sokoto of VOA
Hausa on Thursday night in Washington D.C and monitored by our
correspondent in Abuja; Excerpts:

What has been in the news for many years has come to
pass 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 Congressmen 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 States of America or the visit is for what
purpose?

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 Congressmen
and Women about Nigeria and how Nigeria intends to improve her
relationship with the United States of America.

After visiting the Congress, do you intend to meet with
some other people?

Yes, by tomorrow (Friday) I will go to the State Department in
order to have vital discussions with some of their officials.

Will you also meet with the members of the United State
Chamber of Commerce?

Yes, I will meet them tomorrow (Friday) by the Grace of God.

Who invited you to the United States?

I was invited by many organisations in the United States.

Before now, some people were saying that you cannot come
to the United States of America but now you are here will
people stop doubting?

The whole thing is about misinformation.

What do you mean by misinformation?

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.

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?

Yes.

Are you convinced that the United States Government are
in support of your candidacy?

There is no doubt because the United States is ready to support
any country that is practicing democracy.

People know you as a businessman; do you think that your
business background and experience will influence the United States
Government to support you?

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.

Thank you very much.

It is my pleasure.