Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the recently concluded 2023 elections, has questioned the basis of the phone conversation between Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, and Bola Tinubu, the President-elect.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that in a series of tweets on Friday, Obi emphasized the importance of waiting for the verdict of the presidential election tribunal before conferring legitimacy.
Obi tweeted, “There is still a lack of clarity on the basis of the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken’s call to APC’s presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 16, 2023. The most fundamental tenet and core value of democracy is the rule of law.”
Earlier this week, Blinken had called Tinubu and expressed his commitment to strengthening relations between the United States and Nigeria. The call took place while Tinubu was in France.
During the call, Blinken affirmed his commitment to strengthening the partnership between the US and Nigeria under the incoming administration of the President-elect.
The telephone conversation between the US Secretary of State and the President-elect has raised concerns from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party.
Atiku Abubakar, who is challenging Tinubu’s victory at the tribunal, criticized the Secretary of State’s assurances of bilateral cooperation, citing contradictions with the US’s previous stance on Nigeria’s general election.
Abubakar referred to a statement issued by the US government on March 2, in which they acknowledged the complaints and frustrations expressed by some Nigerians regarding the conduct of the presidential election and the technical flaws in the voting process.
Yunusa Tanko, the Chief Spokesman for the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, also expressed concern over Blinken discussing bilateral relations with Tinubu.
