Ex-VP says Buhari was not allowed into the US for 15 years

dimeji akinloye

December 2, 2017 7:46 PM

On why Atiku was also unable to enter the US, he said the US did not "categorically" deny him visa rather, "they’ve only said my application is going through administrative process.

Former Vice-President

Atiku was said to have stated this in an interview with Dele Momodu, ThisDay columnist and publisher of The Boss newspaper.

The vice president made the revelation when Momodu asked him why he (Atiku) has been unable to enter the US - he said he has not been granted entry visa.

"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," Atiku was quoted as saying.

According to him, the US did not "categorically" deny him visa rather, "they’ve only said my application is going through administrative process.

"This is not peculiar to me. For about 15 years, Buhari could not enter America on account of religious considerations."

He also cited the case of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who he said was also unable to enter the US "for years".

Atiku said: "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."

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It is believed that Buhari's alleged call for the "total" implementation of Islamic law in Nigeria in 2001 made the US refuse him entry for years.

dimeji akinloye