We have heard and continue to hear about presidential hopeful Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa going to the United States of America (USA) before he can contest or be voted for. I am alarmed that this went viral even with the knowledge that this is not a criterion to contest for the seat of President, nowhere in the Nigeria Constitution is it stated.
Some say he is on a list, such list has never been produced nor submitted for public viewing, neither has a document or instrument charging him to a USA court for corruption been produced nor is there a warrant for his arrest from any agency here and abroad. He has not been invited by the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), and he never been indicted for any crime.
Bad news travels fast and far, and the opposition has seen it fit to use the grapevine to taint his image, knowing fully well that many Nigerians go by what they hear and many do not verify information nor ask questions before they believe.
Like any other Nigerian who wishes to travel out of Nigeria to a foreign country on a Nigerian Passport, a visa is required, he must submit his passport to the embassy in question and they may or not approve a visa for him. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has traveled on many occasions to several countries including America as an ordinary citizen and as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
What has changed? There is a new sheriff in town called Donald Trump who dislike immigrants though a product of an immigrant family. A white supremacist, who came up with radical policies concerning immigration that even Americans disagree with. Nigeria is obviously a target, some have disgraced Nigeria by participating in fraudulent activities, and of course President Buhari who went about telling the world that Nigerians are corrupt forgetting that he too is a Nigerian. Trump has on more one occasion insulted the African continent, the black race and specifically Nigeria. In the first part of Trump being in office, he placed Nigeria on a list; Nigerians were harassed and disgraced at US entry points, some sent back even with visas or green cards. This harassment and molestation of Nigerians is still going on.
So let’s get the record straight, void of any evidence to prove any wrongdoing by the Waziri Adamawa, this matter should be laid to rest and real politics played. May the best man win.
Omololu Ojehomon
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