Group stages protest to stop Atiku’s US visa

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

Members of the Forum of Non-Governmental Organizations in Nigeria, on Wednesday stormed the US embassy in Abuja, urging the American government to deny former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar visa to its country.

The protesters were decked in orange T shirts and face caps. They carried different placards with inscriptions such as: “US, stay clear of Nigeria’s internal politics.” No issuance of politically motivated visa to Atiku.” “Senator Jefferson was jailed, Lady Jennifer was jailed, Atiku must also be jailed in the US.” “Nigerians say no to America’s interference in the nation’s politics.” “Go, Atiku Go to jail in America.”

Abubakar is the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming, 2019 presidential election in Nigeria

The protesters marched to the entrance of the embassy at Diplomatic Drive, Central Area, Abuja chanting solidarity songs.

Convener of the forum, Mr Wale Badmus, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)that  granting Abubakar an American visa at this time would imply that  American government was encouraging corruption in Nigeria.

“It has been in the news of recent that the American government was in the process of approving an entry visa for Atiku, and we are here to tell them not to do so.

“Granting him an entry visa at this  time will imply that that American government is trying to  encourage corruption and impede the war against corruption in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Badmus said that a 2008 civil complaint by the American Security and Exchange commission implicated Abubakar, who was Nigeria’s former Vice President, in a $2million bribery scandal.

“In 2009, Congressman , William Jefferson, a major accomplice in the bribery scandal was tried and  convicted in the US district court in Virginia, and was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.

“Granting Abubakar’s ’ visa request will amount to a negation of the  Patriot Act which makes the acceptance of foreign corruption a U.S money laundering offence,’’ he said.

NAN reports that  Atiku Abubakar’s eligibility for  entry visa into the United States of America has dominated political discussions since he declared interest in running for the presidency