- Atiku blames APC for cancellation
Former US President Bill Clinton has cancelled his trip to Nigeria ahead of Saturday’s general elections, saying the visit could be “politicized.”
Clinton was scheduled to visit the capital, Abuja, this week alongside Baroness Patricia Scotland, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
The planned trip was facilitated by the Kofi Annan Foundation and the National Peace Committee (NPC).
“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 travelling to Abuja,” Clinton’s spokesman Angel Ureña said in a statement.
Clinton, according to the statement, would continue to support the NPC ‘s work toward peaceful and fair elections in Nigeria.
He had been set to deliver a keynote speech at a ceremony for the signing of a peace accord by presidential candidates.
Clinton will speak later this week with President Muhammadu Buhari, who is standing for re-election, and his main challenger, Atiku Abubakar, his spokesman said.
It is expected to be a keenly contested election.
Two electoral commission offices housing voting materials were burned down within a week, the country’s electoral body said Sunday.
“This is a crucial time in Nigeria, and President Clinton is hopeful that the election’s outcome reflects the will of the Nigerian people,” his spokesman said.
The NPC in an earlier statement announcing Clinton’s visit said it reached out to him and others to ensure peaceful elections and a non-violent transfer of power in the West African nation.
More than 200 people were killed and about 40,000 displaced in violence after Nigeria’s 2011 presidential elections, when then-incumbent Goodluck Jonathan.
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has noted that the cancellation of the planned visit of former United States President, Bill Clinton to Nigeria is not unconnected with the utterances of key members of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
A statement which emanated from his campaign office in Abuja on Tuesday recalled the “body bag” remark credited to Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state who suggested that any foreigners who interfere in Nigeria’s electoral process will return home in body bags.
Clinton was scheduled to preside over the revalidation of the peace agreement among political parties before the commencement of the elections.
But he was reported to have cancelled the visit fearing that it will be politicised.
The Atiku’s statement signed by Paul Ibe, Media Adviser, read: “It is with some disappointment that we note the release from President Bill Clinton expressing his inability to visit Nigeria because of recent “conversations” that have made the intended visit inexpedient.
“We understand the reasons given by President Clinton and wish the situation on the ground were more ideal as to make his visit more conducive.
“We note that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, a man with a history and pattern of peaceful democratic activity, had looked forward to President Clinton’s visit.
“We quite understand the reasons given by President Clinton, coming especially after the unfortunate “body bag” comment emanating from the All Progressives Congress.
“Be that as it may, Atiku Abubakar wishes to reaffirm to Nigerians and the world, his commitment to peace and democracy and urges all contestants and parties involved in the 2019 Nigerian elections to publicly do the same.
“Atiku Abubakar urges all Nigerians to peacefully troop out in their numbers to vote according to their conscience and dictates. A large voter turnout makes it even more difficult, and perhaps impossible to rig elections.
“Atiku Abubakar also notes the harassment of friends of Nigeria by the Buhari administration and its agents and privies, who have taken to releasing and uttering statements threatening diplomats and election observers.
“We wish to make known to these individuals the fact that Nigeria has long-standing friends and it will be myopic to burn those bridges on the altar of desperation.
“Finally, we urge President Muhammadu Buhari to place the interest of Nigeria above partisanship and call these antagonists to order.”
- CNN