U.S. command site is rejected

Nigeria won’t be host to the U.S. military’s new Africa military command, a governor announced after meeting with other officials.

Nigeria is also against the U.S. command placing its headquarters elsewhere in West Africa, said Kwara state Gov. Bukola Saraki, who announced the government’s position after a meeting of President Umaru Yar’Adua, governors and federal lawmakers.

The U.S. has said it aims to better protect America’s strategic interest in Africa and assist African countries with military training and conflict prevention. But a number of African countries have expressed reservations about a move that could signal an expansion of U.S. influence.