Why I’ve not visited United States — Atiku
December 2, 2017  Samuel Ogundipe

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar . [Photo credit: Guardian Nigeria]
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has explained why he has been unable to enter the United States in the past few years.
There have been concerns that Mr. Abubakar was avoiding a trip to America because he fears a warrant was out for his arrest there.
But Mr. Abubakar, who is expected to run for president in 2019, said in an interview published by The Boss newspaper that he had actually made attempt to visit the U.S. but was denied on administrative grounds.
“I applied, but wasn’t issued a visa. However, they did not decline me categorically either. They’ve only said my application is going through administrative process,” Mr. Abubakar told the paper published by Dele Momodu.
“It is the sole prerogative of America to determine who they want in their country or not. I’m not running away from America,” Mr. Abubakar added.
The former vice-president said such administrative denials were not unique to him, saying President Muhammadu Buhari could not also enter the country for 15 years due to his religious views.

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja did not immediately respond to PREMIUM TIMES email seeking comments Saturday afternoon.
Speculation about Mr. Abubakar’s run in with U.S. authorities stemmed from a broadband contract award to iGate, an America company which Williams Jefferson, then U.S. federal lawamker from Louisiana, had interest in.
Mr. Jefferson was said to have used his political influence and friendship with Mr. Abubakar to ensure that the contract went smoothly in Nigeria with intentions to pay some kickbacks to Nigerian officials, including the former vice president.

 
Mr. Jefferson revealed in a secretly recorded conversation with the FBI that Mr. Abubakar stood to benefit up to $500,000 for helping influence the broadband deal in Nigeria at the time.
Although Mr. Jefferson lost his representative seat and served jail term in America for the deal, Mr. Abubakar was never prosecuted in Nigeria. It is also not clear if Mr. Abubakar was indicted in the U.S over the case.
“On the issue of corruption, I have challenged anyone, anywhere, who has any evidence of corruption against me to come forward. I’m sure they would have combed everywhere trying to find anything incriminating against me, but they have not found it, or they are still searching,” Mr. Abubakar said.
Mr. Atiku, vice-president from 1999-2007, has largely been a businessman since retiring from Nigeria Customs Service decades ago.
He dismissed his critics and contenders as lacking basic entrepreneurial knowledge, hence the reason they despise him for his own business acumen.
“Let any of those who want to compete with me show what they have managed successfully,” Mr. Atiku said.

Mr. Abubakar’s likely 2019 ambition has become increasingly noticeable in his activities in recent months.
Over the past year, he had initiated a slew of political moves to cast himself in a brighter light. Prominent amongst these is his relentless call for a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria, arguing that the current system is unworkable —a position that Nigerians are buying into in an ever increasing number.
Mr. Abubakar has been described as a serial contender for the presidency, having run in 2007 and 2015 elections, although the 2015 bid ended at primary stage when he lost to Mr. Buhari.

He dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress last week Friday, citing alleged failure by the Buhari administration to improve the quality of life in the country and neglect of the youth in federal cabinet appointment.
His political allies have indicated that Mr. Abubakar was on his way to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, which has opened its doors to him.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, openly threw her support behind Mr. Abubakar’s presidential bid in September despite the uncertainty that clouds Mr. Buhari’s re-election plans.

Mr. Abubakar also accused the president of sidelining him after contributing immensely to ensure his victory against then-incumbent Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
The presidency has not reacted to Mr. Abubakar’s criticism.
But Mr. Abubakar’s recent actions have earned him renewed criticism, with many of his adversaries exhuming his past controversies, which include the iGate scandal.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/251239-ive-not-visited-united-states-atiku.html

Ratello:
Why I’ve not visited United States — Atiku
December 2, 2017  Samuel Ogundipe


But Mr. Abubakar, who is expected to run for president in 2019, said in an interview published by The Boss newspaper that he had actually made attempt to visit the U.S. but was denied on administrative grounds.
“I applied, but wasn’t issued a visa. However, they did not decline me categorically either. They’ve only said my application is going through administrative process,” Mr. Abubakar told the paper published by Dele Momodu.
“It is the sole prerogative of America to determine who they want in their country or not. I’m not running away from America,” Mr. Abubakar added.
The former vice-president said such administrative denials were not unique to him, saying President Muhammadu Buhari could not also enter the country for 15 years due to his religious views.


https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/251239-ive-not-visited-united-states-atiku.html

Hahaha....you were denied because the United States Senate indicted you for collecting a bribe of $2 million dollar from German engineering firm Siemens and laundering $40 million US dollars into the country through shell companies.

DUTCHDON:

Hahaha....you were denied because the United States Senate indicted you for collecting a bribe of $2 million dollar from German engineering firm Siemens and laundering $40 million US dollars into the country through shell companies.

I don't like it when matured minds are behaving like kids the reason why I am stretching this debate to this level is because I believed that you are a matured mind. Point to the world from the the bolden quotes you displayed there where it was stated that Atiku was indicted for embezzling $40 million dollars after collecting a $2 million US dollars bribe please. You may want to supply your source too like I did here proving to you that Atiku was never indicted but was only accused and he was never barred from traveling to the US but was denied US Visa on administrative grounds which was never disclosed.

You may want to read this up to;


‘Why We Can’t Talk About Buhari, Atiku Travel Ban’ – US
By Anuoluwapo Adeseun   /  


Following former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s claim that the United States barred Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari from entering the country for 15 years, the US government has explained why it will not deny or confirm Atiku’s allegation.

Speaking through the Department of State, the American government also said it would not discuss the reasons Atiku is being denied entry into the US.

Two weeks ago, Atiku, in an interview with The Boss magazine, said the US had barred Buhari from the US for 15 years due to his religious beliefs.

The former vice president was responding to a question on why he avoided travelling to the US.

‘US Barred Buhari For 15 Years Over Sharia’ – Atiku Alleges

“It is the sole prerogative of America to determine who they want in their country or not. I’m not running away from America. I applied but wasn’t issued a visa. However, they did not decline me categorically.

“They’ve only said my application is going through an administrative process. This is not peculiar to me. For about 15 years, Buhari could not enter America on account of his religious considerations. I fly to different parts of the world, including Europe. If America wanted (to arrest) me, it would be so easy for them to reach out to their allies,” he had replied.

According to PUNCH, the US authorities refused to confirm or deny the ex-vice president’s claims.

The US Department of States when contacted to confirm why Buhari was barred from entering the US for 15 years and Atiku for “administrative reasons,” a US official said, “Due to US privacy laws, visa cases are considered confidential. We do not discuss specific cases.”
 
The American government was also asked again whether it ever viewed Buhari as holding extreme religious views and if Atiku was free to apply for a US visa.

It also inquired how many politically exposed persons from Nigeria had been barred from entering the US since 1999.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have anything further to add at this time. Regarding questions about visas, due to US privacy laws, visa cases are considered confidential and we do not discuss private cases,” was the response of Nick Sadoski, a US official at the DoS.

http://www.nigerianmonitor.com/us-explains-why-it-cant-talk-about-buhari-atikus-travel-ban/

Atiku doesn't know his 'well kept' secrets have been made known to all and sundry. He's just a desperate man that wants power at all cost. I will rather move abroad than be governed by this useless corruption laden man. When you are desperate for power, then you have nothing to offer than to satisfy your selfish desire. Buhari was desperate for power and we have all seen the consequences.

#enough is enough

IFearGod:
Atiku doesn't know his 'well kept' secrets have been made known to all and sundry. He's just desperate man that wants power at all cost. I will rather move abroad than be governed by this useless corruption laden man. When you are desperate for power, then you have nothing to offer than to satisfy your selfish desire. Buhari was desperate for power and we have all seen the consequences.

I will support Atiku when he his granted visa to visit his residence in Potomac,Washington.
http://nigeriavillagesquare.com/forum/threads/atikus-mansion-fbi-bribery-investigation-the-end-game.1500/page-4

Story story

Atikwuchukwu. Are you still on this US thing?

IFearGod:
Atiku doesn't know his 'well kept' secrets have been made known to all and sundry. He's just a desperate man that wants power at all cost. I will rather move abroad than be governed by this useless corruption laden man. When you are desperate for power, then you have nothing to offer than to satisfy your selfish desire. Buhari was desperate for power and we have all seen the consequences.

#enough is enough

I am too sure you definitely don't know Atiku more than Atiku himself I will advise you talk on what you know about him and not hearsays