The federal government has pleaded with the United States to be cautious in granting a visa to Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in order not to create the impression of endorsing him for the 2019 election.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, gave the government position at an interactive session with media executives in Abuja on Thursday.

Mr Mohammed said the government was aware of the move by the former vice president to lobby the U.S. to lift the visa ban imposed on him.

He said while the U.S. has the prerogative of whom to issue visa, it should be mindful of the timing, in order not to give the impression that Atiku has been endorsed by the U.S. government.

“We understand and appreciate the fact that it is the prerogative of the U.S. to grant a visa to anyone who applies.

“However, we want the U.S. to be neutral and be wary of taking any decision that will give the impression that they are favouring or endorsing one candidate over the other

“Impression must not be created that the U.S. government is endorsing one particular candidate over the other,’’ he said.