Lai Mohammed
The Federal Government tells the U.S. to be cautious in granting
visa to the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in order
not to create the impression of endorsing him for the 2019 election.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave
the government position at an interactive session with media executives
in Abuja on Thursday.
Mohammed said that the government was aware of the move by the
former Vice President to lobby the U.S. to lift the visa ban imposed on
him. He said, while the U.S. has the prerogative of whom to issue visa,
it should be mindful of the timing, in order not to give the impression
that Atiku has been endorsed by the U.S. government.
“We understand and appreciate the fact that it is the
prerogative of the U.S. to grant a visa to anyone who applies. “However,
we want the U.S. to be neutral and be wary of taking any decision that
will give the impression that they are favouring or endorsing one
candidate over the other “Impression must not be created that the U.S.
government is endorsing one particular candidate over the other,’’ he said.
The minister recalled that for years, there has been a kind of
congressional bi-partisan investigation on corruption against certain
individuals which had made it difficult for Atiku to secure a U.S. visa.
“I am sure you will all recall the Jefferson’s case and the cold 90,000 U.S. dollar in fridge.
“We are not unaware that Atiku has engaged the services of some
lobbyists to persuade the U.S. to issue visa to him. “Our position is
that if the former Vice President is seeking the U.S. visa we have no
problem about it.
“However, we want the U.S. government not to create the impression that it is endorsing one candidate over the other,’’
he said. Speaking on security, the minister insisted that despite the
recent set back brought about by attacks on the military, the Boko Haram
insurgents had been largely decimated.
He recalled that when they took over in 2015, Boko Haram was active
in 10 states including the FCT where they chose where and when to
attack The minister said that 20 of the 27 Local Government Areas in
Borno were under the insurgents where they hoisted their flags collected
taxes and deposed the Emirs. He said since they took over, no inch of
Nigeria territory is under the control of the insurgents who now
operated in the fringes –Lake Chad Island- to launch guerilla attacks.
“What happened was a set-back and it is not enough to say that we
are losing the war against the Boko Haram. “We want to appreciate the
gallant military who are sacrificing day and night and those who have
lost their lives to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty,’’ he said.
The Minister added that the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to
Borno and his ongoing visit to Chad were indications of renewed vigour
to end the war. Mohammed also denied the allegations that the government
was closing media space against the opposition.
On the arrest of Deji Adeyanju, convener of Concerned Nigerians by the Police, the minister noted that “being an activist or in the opposition does not protect anyone from arrest and prosecution’’. He said the case had been charged to court and it would be prejudicial to make further comments on it.
(NAN)