The Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has confirmed his visit to the United States as earlier reported by Naija News.
Naija News had reported that Abubakar, a former Vice President of Nigeria, arrived at “God’s own country” on Thursday, January 17, having departed Nigerian on Wednesday evening.
The visit came after the United States had in late 2018, issued the PDP Presidential candidate a visa. 
Abubakar took to the micro-blogging site, Twitter to confirm his visit, saying he arrived at Washington D.C for meeting with US government officials and Nigerians living in D.C as well as the business community.
The PDP Presidential candidate tweeted: “Just arrived Washington D.C for meeting with US government officials, Nigerians living in D.C metropolis and the business community. -AA.”
Just arrived Washington D.C for meeting with US government officials, Nigerians living in D.C metropolis and the business community. -AA pic.twitter.com/EafM47B83A
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) January 17, 2019
Abubakar, who is widely travelled, has not been to the United States in 13 years, a situation which has fueled speculations that the Wazirin Adamawa might be avoiding possible arrest or prosecution.
The political opponents of the former Vice President including the All Progressives Congress (APC) have on several occasions used his absence from the US not just to taunt but to discredit him.
Naija News reports that Abubakar’s row with the US authorities began after the FBI investigated a bribery scandal involving William Jefferson, former US congressman, in 2004.
The PDP Presidential candidate was accused of demanding a bribe of $500,000 to facilitate the award of contracts to two American telecommunication firms in Nigeria.
The FBI, a domestic intelligence and security service of the United States, had searched his residence in the posh neighbourhood of Potomac, Maryland, but no money was found.
The investigators had videotaped Jefferson, who was the congressman representing Louisiana, receiving $100,000 worth of $100 bills which he claimed was meant for Abubakar, but the PDP Presidential candidate has consistently denied the allegation.
Meanwhile, Abubakar’s visit to the United States is coming few weeks to the February 16 Presidential election in Nigeria, which he is battling to unseat President Muhammadu Buhari who is seeking a second term in office.
The post Atiku Confirms Naija News ‘US Visit’ Report With A Tweet appeared first on Naija News.
