Spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Committee, Festus Keyamo, has ridiculed the recent visit to the United States of America by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku recently visited the United States on Friday for the first time in 13 years.
Keyamo described his visit as a “secret visit” in which he was “disguised as a fugitive smuggling himself into the United States under a special diplomatic exemption.”
An APC campaign spokesman said it was “unusual” for a PDP presidential candidate to undertake such a visit without international media coverage.
“Far from being the high point of Atiku Abubakar’s election campaign, this visit to the US was the low point and a major political and public relations disaster,” Keyamo said in a statement.
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“His statements, which he made only to the Nigerian press, that he intends to alienate other countries and do business with the United States, are in fact the opposite of our non-aligned policy.
“So we were not surprised by his visit to the US. For us, this visit is really a minor event considering the issues surrounding the upcoming elections.”
“But for those who think this is a momentous occasion for Atiku Abubakar, I have bad news for you. Far from dispelling the threat of indictment, this visit has only confirmed and strengthened it and has been nothing short of a disaster.”
“Whoever encouraged Atiku Abubakar to go to the US has undermined his entire election campaign and exposed him for the kind of person he is. He is a questionable character whose suitability for the highest office in the land continues to remain in huge doubt and he cannot be trusted by Nigerians.”
“Overall, it is now very clear that the so-called US trip was a desperate photo-op trip.
“Throughout the trip, Atiku Abubakar appeared wary, scared and nervous and we note that Senate President Bukola Saraki was always there to provide him with personal support like a comforting guardian angel.
“The visit and the arrangements reek of local Yahoo Boys trying to rip off their victims. It is completely disgusting and childish that this has been brought into a serious political fray.”
Keyamo also criticised Atiku’s campaign slogan “Let’s Re-energise Nigeria”, alleging that the former vice president would use public funds to enrich his friends if elected president.
“As he confirmed at a town hall meeting days before his disastrous trip to the United States, he said he wanted to ‘reinvigorate Nigeria’ only for a few friends who he claimed wanted to make rich,” the statement read.
“If he can’t now enrich his friends with his own private business, he is clearly referring to enriching them with public funds.
“Nigerians should decide for themselves whether this is the type of president they want.”
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