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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said he is prepared to go to the United States if the country’s diplomatic authorities approve his application for visa.
Recall that Atiku has not been able to travel to the U.S. since he left office.
“If America says come today, I will board the flight and go there soonest,” Mr Abubakar told columnist Dele Momodu. Mr Momodu who has been interviewing potential presidential candidates in 2019 elections, and he spoke with Mr Abubakar earlier this week as part of the series.
Atiku added, “I applied to America for visa which was not granted. A man who is afraid of being arrested won’t go near the American Embassy, it is simple logic. If America says come today, I will board the flight and go there soonest. Perhaps, America was fed with lies about me. It is normal in politics. The Indian and Kenyan leaders could not visit America at a time. America is not like Nigeria where we convict people on the pages of newspapers.”
He added that the government has lost total grip on all aspects of governance and that the president appears to be totally confused.
“Therefore, the leader Nigeria needs urgently is one who can unite the country and heal the deep wounds, not another Buhari who would further divide Nigeria and deepen the wounds,” he said.
“Check my records Dele, my office as vice president reflected the best of Nigeria; the guys were young and vibrant, and I gave them the wings to fly.”
On the public perception that he is a corrupt leader, Atiku insisted that he has never stolen public funds.
He said: “I have thrown the challenge repeatedly that anyone who has any corrupt charges against me should come forward. I never stole government money. Do you think President Obasanjo would not have exposed me if there was any such act of stealing?”