Former American President Bill Clinton has canceled his trip to Nigeria ahead of Saturday’ s general elections , saying the visit could be “ politicised , ” CNN has reported.
The PUNCH had reported that the 42nd President of the United States of America and Secretary -General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Patricia Scotland , had been named dignitaries for the goodwill messages at the signing of a National Peace Accord scheduled to take place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja , on Wednesday , February 13.
Clinton had called off his own participation, citing fear that his presence might be politicised.
Earlier on Monday , the ruling All Progressives Congress had accused the United States Ambassador , Stuart Symington ; and other western ambassadors of partiality and tacit support for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar.
Clinton and Scotland’ s planned trips were facilitated by the Kofi Annan Foundation and the National Peace Committee.
A press release signed by Clinton’s spokesman , Angel Ureña , states , “ Over the course of the last several days, and after various conversations with the different stakeholders , it’ s become apparent that President Clinton’ s visit to Nigeria has the potential to be politicised in a way that is not in line with the goals of the committee .
“ Therefore , he will not be traveling to Abuja . ”
The ex -president Clinton reportedly promised to continue to support the NPC ‘ s work toward peaceful and fair elections in Nigeria .
The statement added that the American statesman will speak later this week with President Muhammadu Buhari .
He also reportedly expressed the desire that the outcome of the election will reflect the wishes of Nigerians.
(Punch)
