PRESIDENT Barack Obama’s official relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan appears to be in jeopardy, following indications that Obama’s scheduled visit to Nigeria has been suspended over the state pardon granted former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha.
It was gathered that the visit had already been agreed upon between governments of the United States and Nigeria, but has to be put on hold as a result of domestic pressure over the Boko Haram menace and Alamieyeseigha, whose corruption case has become a model for government officials in showing America’s new determination to fight kleptocracy around the world.Since the pardon was announced by the Nigerian government, western news agencies and press, including Associated Press, New York Times and local TV networks have made a big deal of the story, which sources said sent shock waves across US government circles, including State Department, Justice Department and the Homeland Security Department-all US government agencies that were involved in dealing with the US end of the Alamieyeseigha corruption case.