Wyclef Jean’s bid for the president of Haiti is no longer an option. According to the Associated Press, the former Fugees member’s publicist sent out a statement earlier today (September 21) saying that he will now be focusing on promoting a new album and moving away from politics.

Controversy has surrounded Wyclef since he first announced his intentions to run for his native country’s highest office in early August. However, his bid was brought to a halt by the ruling committee in Haiti, the CEP. No official reason was ever released.

“I think the decision of the CEP rests squarely with the CEP,” the rapper/producer/singer’s brother, Sam Jean, told XXLMag.com late last month. “The decision not to allow Clef to run was made by the political powers in Haiti. And they basically eliminated any candidate that they considered from the diaspora.”

'Clef subsequently released a song in protest of the decision.

The Haitian presidential election is slated for November 28. —Adam Fleischer

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