Obi Faults Blinken’s Call To Tinubu

The Flagbearer of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, has faulted the call made by the US Secretary of the State, Antony J. Blinken, to President-elect, Bola Tinubu. He asked Blinken to allow the court to decide the legitimate president of Nigeria.

He made this statement in a series of tweets posted on his verified Twitter handle while reacting to the conversation between Tinubu and Blinken today.

Recall that Blinken had on Tuesday pledged stronger ties between the US and Nigeria during a 20-minute telephone call to Tinubu. The call generated reactions from opposition camps.

Reacting to the call, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar wrote, “I am in disbelief that Secretary Antony Blinken called Tinubu, a contradiction to the publicly stated position of the US on Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.

He also tweeted that “This is inconceivable considering that America, as the bastion of democracy, is well briefed on the sham election of the 25th of February 2023. To give legitimacy to the widely acknowledged fraudulent election in Nigeria can be demoralising to citizens who have hedged their bet on democracy and the sanctity of the ballot.’’ 

Obi charges the US to await the resolution of court processes

The former Anambra governor wrote, “There is still a lack of clarity on the basis of the US Secretary of State, Antony J.  Blinken’s call to APC’s presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 16, 2023. It is thus of overarching importance that a beacon of democracy like the United States should not respond to political developments in Nigeria in a manner that faintly suggests taking sides.”

Obi added that “The final determination of the true winner of the election can only be made by the relevant courts of law. The most fundamental tenet and core value of democracy is the rule of law. Nigeria’s democracy is founded on these principles which the American people hold dear.”

Furthermore, Obi said, “Nigerians expect that the US responses to our affairs should be based on mutual respect, shared ideals, aspirations and interests which ought to transcend the considerations of any individual.”