I’ll defeat you with or without US trip – Atiku tells Buhari

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar says with or without a trip to the US, he will dislodge President Muhammadu Buhari, his main rival, in next month’s election.

Atiku said this in a statement issued which Phrank Shaibu, his special assistant on public communication, issued on his behalf on Thursday.

He asked the federal government to bury its head in shame having failed to stop him from travelling to the US.

He said it was shameful that the governing APC took it upon itself to call on the authorities of another country not to grant a private citizen entry visa, which ordinarily should not be its business.

Last year, Lai Mohammed, minister of information, had asked the US not to grant Atiku visa.

But Atiku who arrived in the US on Thursday said the APC was jittery knowing that its government has failed.

He said Buhari’s days as president were numbered, “which explains why members of the ruling party have been running from pillar to post”.

The former vice-president described as cock and bull story, the allegation that he has a case to answer over the collapse of BankPHB, a merger of Platinum and Habib Banks.

He challenged the federal government to either prove his alleged corrupt activities, or forever remain quiet.

“It is disgusting to continue to spin allegations of corruption against me by people who have failed to come forward with a single shred of evidence of my misconduct while in office,” he said.

“Isn’t it a shame that the ruling party whose National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole only yesterday gave official confirmation to the general belief that , even if Lawrence Anini becomes an APC member today, Buhari will forgive and consecrate him can turn around to accuse me of corruption today?