EXPOSED! American Journalist reveals Trump’s ally paid $1.1m by PDP as lobbyist to smuggle Atiku into US, as Nigeria’s ex-VP lodged in President Trump’s hotel
*Atiku’s US trip facilitated by Saraki’s ‘special diplomatic cover’ – USFA
*No wonder PDP boasts Atiku has global support claiming Buhari has not – Respondent
With the latest revelation by the American Journalist, it appears that the PDP’s boast of global support may have been informed by assurances of its lobbyist, Brian Ballard, who was hired by PDP to lobby them and their candidate to the heart of US President Donald Trump’s government. Judd Legum had said “The previously untold story of how he (Atiku) got there illustrates how you can buy influence in Trump’s Washington.”
The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, may have lobbied his way into the United States of America, according to a journalist, Judd Legum.
Atiku, a former Vice President, had not visited America for over 12 years until his recent trip to the country with Senate President Bukola Saraki alongside other politicians.
On arrival in the US, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party lodged at the Trump Hotel, owned by US President Donald Trump.
The DEFENDER reported Monday that PDP through its Spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan boasted that Atiku now has global support against President Muhammadu Buhari, who according to the opposition party, has no friends all over the world.
With the latest revelation by the American Journalist, it appears that the PDP’s boast of global support may have been informed by assurances of its lobbyist, Brian Ballard, who was hired by PDP to lobby them and their candidate to the heart of US President Donald Trump’s government. Judd Legum had said “The previously untold story of how he (Atiku) got there illustrates how you can buy influence in Trump’s Washington.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) had constantly mocked Atiku over his inability to visit the U.S., using it as a proof of his corruption and unsuitability for public office.
Atiku had been accused of laundering over $40 million in the US with the aid of his wife Jenifer Douglas.
The Waziri of Adamawa was also mentioned in a bribery scandal involving congressman William Jefferson, who is currently serving time.
However, Legum, a journalist with Popular Information, said the PDP candidate may have lobbied his way into the United States.
According to Popular Information, a former US government official confirmed that Atiku was until recently formally barred from obtaining a visa pursuant to a presidential proclamation targeting corrupt foreign officials.
Former US President George W. Bush had in 2004 signed the Presidential Proclamation 7750 which ban entry into the United States for current and former corrupt foreign officials.
According to the report by Legum on Popular Information, things change after the PDP hired Brian Ballard, a key member of Trump’s political operation, with a $1.1 million per year lobbying contract.
Ballard, who is widely renowned for his deep connections to the Trump administration, chaired the “Trump Victory organization” in Florida.
Judd Legum had said that “After being banned from entering the U.S. for 12 years, this man showed up at the Trump Hotel last Thursday. The previously untold story of how he got there illustrates how you can buy influence in Trump’s Washington.”
It will recalled The DEFENDER reported that the United States Department of Africa Affairs had revealed how Atiku came into America via ‘special diplomatic waiver’ enlisting him as ‘aide’ to Senate President of Nigeria, Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
The revelation also gave the respect for Nigeria, US agreement on diplomatic rights reason the PDP Presidential Candidate was not arrested during the visit.
