By Uche Mbah
After 12 years,the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has landed in the United States of America today, 17TH January 2019. It took even his admirers by surprise.
The ruling APC has made a lot of issues allegedly out of the fact that Atiku has not visited United States for a long time. Reason: A business deal gone awry.
The deal involved Halliburton and bribery allegations, a case that allegedly also indicted the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari. Since he was selected as the PDP flag bearer, the APC has been harping on his inability to travel to the United states. At a point, Lai Mohamed,the Minister of Information asked the American government not to give him visa. The Buhari media Organization turned it into a swan song for him.
Atiku was in Lagos the previous day for a Town hall meeting but had to travel early the following morning. Rumors of his travel came on social media, but his Media aid, Paul Ibe, denied that he has traveled. Ibe later confirmed it and issued a press release to that effect.
An update on his Facebook page confirmed it.
“Just arrived Washington DC for meeting with US government officials, Nigerians living in DC Metropolis and the business Community”. He wrote.
Atiku traveled in company of the DG PDP campaign Organization, Bukola Saraki, who is currently the Senate President. He is expected back in the country on Saturday in time for the presidential debate on Sunday, where he is expected to face the president, Muhammadu Buhari in a presidential debate.It is believed that Buhari will boycott that debate as the stage is being set for his travel for medical check up.
The presidency is yet to react to the trip.
It is said That the trip was partly facilitated by former president Obasanjo.
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