Read How Buhari's Town Hall Meeting in the U.S Became an Embarrassment

 

More than 200 Nigerians were embarrased on Tuesday, 20th of July at the Nigerian embassy in Washington DC, USA as they were denied entry into the edifice for an interactive session with President Muhammadu Buhari on his visit.

 

The event scheduled to last for 2 hours from 6pm  to 8pm was part of President Buhari’s official state visit to the United States. The evening included a Town Hall for Nigerians to interact with President Buhari and a “Meet and Greet” for young Nigerian professionals.
 
The Nigerians in diaspora allegedly trooped in en masse to be part of a privileged meeting with the Nigerian president but in a dramatic twist, they were denied entry despite carrying official invitation cards.

 

According to Sahara reporters, the Nigerians in the U.S wore special attires in the class of their "Christmas clothes" but were greeted with deep shock when security operatives locked them out with preferential treatments were given to a few influential individuals.

 

As the desperate crowd began to swell, many Nigerians demanded explanations from embassy officials and secret service agents at the gate. One special agent told a SaharaReporters correspondent that “all I know is we can’t let anyone in right now.”

 

As SaharaReporters began interviewing members of the crowd, it became obvious that Nigerian embassy officials were discriminating against certain people and giving entrance to others.
 
“We are friends with the Principal Secretary, he will be coming to get us,” said one man and his family when a SaharaReporters correspondent asked him whether he would gain entrance. The man refused to give the name of which Principal Secretary he was referring to when he noticed the “SaharaReporters” ID badge. A few moments later members of security escorted the well-connected man through the gate and into the event.
  

Members of the All Progressive Congress, U.S chapter had their fair share of the embarrassment as they stood outside in their expensive appearances with APC logos on their attires. Several Nigerians in diaspora termed their restriction as a display of corruption which President Muhammadu Buhari is fighting against.