Bill Clinton Cancels Trip To Nigeria After APC Accused U.S Of Bias

Former US president, Bill Clinton, has said he will not be coming to Nigeria as earlier announced.

Clinton cancelled the visit shortly after the All Progressives Congress (APC) accused the United States of bias and double standard against the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Government.

APC spokesman, Festus Keyamo also criticised US ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, for “overstepping” his ambassadorial brief.

Clinton, who was supposed to witness the signing of a peace accord between the APC presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, said he cancelled the trip because his visit may be politicized.

Nigeria’s general election is set to hold on February 16th, and the battle on who will emerge president is between the two leading parties.

Recall that the National Peace Committee (NPC) led by former head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar, said Clinton was expected to be in Abuja on Wednesday.

Apart from witnessing the peace accord signing, he was expected to hold meetings with Buhari and Atiku.

Secretary-general of the Commonwealth, Baroness Patricia Scotland, was also billed to attend the event.

A statement by Clinton’s spokesperson, Angel Ureña, read, “President Clinton appreciates General Abdulsalami Abubakar and the Nigerian National Peace Committee’s invitation to travel to Nigeria.

“He is incredibly supportive and respectful of the committee’s efforts, of the election process, and of the work being done to try to ensure a peaceful, free, fair, and transparent outcome.

“This is a crucial time in Nigeria, and President Clinton is hopeful that the election’s outcome reflects the will of the Nigerian people.

“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 politicized in a way that is not in line with the goals of the committee. Therefore, he will not be traveling to Abuja.

“He looks forward to talking to both candidates and General Abubakar this week.”