Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the recently concluded Nigerian elections, expressed surprise at the decision of United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, to call President-elect Bola Tinubu.
Blinken had phoned Tinubu on Tuesday after announcing visa restrictions on individuals who undermined the democratic process during the 2023 elections.
In a statement released by the U.S. Department of State, Blinken assured Tinubu of the Joe Biden administration’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria.
Atiku, however, criticized the call, stating that it contradicts the publicly stated position of the US on Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.
He added that legitimizing the widely acknowledged fraudulent election in Nigeria could be demoralizing to citizens who have faith in democracy and the sanctity of the ballot.
He said: “I am in disbelief that @SecBlinken called Tinubu, a contradiction to the publicly stated position of the US on Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.
“This is inconceivable considering that America, as the bastion of democracy, is well briefed on the sham election of February 25.
“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 @StateDept @POTUS @USinNigeria.”
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
