By Jennifer Yusuf
The Nigeria Governors ‘ Forum said its Chairman and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, was not refused entry visas to the United States.
The forum explained in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday night by its Head of Media and Public Affairs, Mr Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo.
Bello-Barkindo said Fayemi’s passport was rather retrieved when the American Embassy suggested that the visa may not be ready by Friday because he had a critical engagement in South Africa on Monday.
The spokesman made the clarification while reacting to a report that Fayemi was denied U.S. Entry Visa making the NGF to cancel trip to Meet Bill Gates.
“The NGF wishes to correct the mischievous report of 247Ureport on the United States’ visa application of its Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi.
“Fayemi, like every other Nigerian citizen intending to visit the U.S., applied for a visa, attended his interview and was requested to pay the statutory visa acceptance fee by the U.S. Consulate.
“The Governor’s visa application was not denied.
“Anyone conversant with U.S. Visa application procedure knows that applicants are now routinely taken through administrative processing before visas are issued.
“When the American Embassy indicated that the visa may not be ready by Friday, Nov. 8, Fayemi retrieved his passport because of a crucial speaking engagement at the AfDB Africa Investment Forum in South Africa on Monday, Nov. 11.
“It is imperative to mention here that the NGF Chairman, Fayemi, only just returned from the U.S. where he attended the United Nation’s General Assembly where the NGF organised a high-level side meeting on the 27th of September 2019,” he said.
