Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that President Muhammadu Buhari could not gain entry into the United States of America for 15 years.
The reason, he said, was that the United States “banned” him over his religious position.
His words: “For about 15 years, Buhari could not enter America on account of religious considerations.”
It would be recalled that Buhari had been quoted as supporting Sharia Law in Nigeria.
He had however denied the allegation, saying he was quoted out of context.
Atiku, who dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC, last week, spoke in an interview with Dele Momodu, publisher of the BOSS newspaper.
Against the background of allegation that he had been involved in some sharp practices which prevented his entry into the United States, Atiku was asked why he had not been able to visit the United States for many years.
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In his response, he said he was not banned, only that his visa had not been granted.
According to him, the onus was on the US to grant visa to whom they wanted.
“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,” he said.
He said the explanation given was that his application was going through administrative process.
He was however optimistic that if he becomes the president of the country, he would be granted access just as it was done to Buhari and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Today, he (Modi) is being treated to red carpet treatment in America. I fly to different parts of the world, including Europe, if America wanted me, it would be so easy for them to reach out to their allies,” he said.