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Peace accord: Clinton turns down Nigeria’s invitation, states reason

Ezekiel Johnson
Ezekiel Johnson
Peace accord: Clinton turns down Nigeria’s invitation, states reason
Bill Clinton

Former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, has said he would not be able to attend the signing of a peace accord between President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He was invited by the National Peace Committee to witness the signing of the peace accord which will hold on Wednesday.

His presence is to promote peace in the coming election.

He was also to hold a meeting with the two candidates.

But in a statement by his spokesperson, Angel Ureña, on Monday, Clinton said he would not attend the signing of the document to avoid his presence from being politicized.

That, according to him, would be against the intention of his presence.

He expressed his support for the peace initiative of the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led committee.

The statement by his spokesperson reads:  “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.”

The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Patricia Scotland, has also been invited for the same purpose and is expected to deliver a goodwill message.

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