…By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the recently concluded elections, has voiced his opposition to the phone call made by United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, to President-elect Bola Tinubu.
According to sources, Blinken contacted Tinubu on Tuesday, following the announcement of visa restrictions imposed on specific individuals who undermined the democratic process during the 2023 elections.
In a statement released by Matthew Miller, the Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, Blinken conveyed to Tinubu that the Joe Biden administration is committed to strengthening the relationship between the United States and Nigeria.
Blinken emphasized that the partnership is based on shared interests and strong people-to-people ties, which should continue to grow during Tinubu’s tenure.
Blinken and Tinubu reportedly discussed the importance of inclusive leadership that represents all Nigerians and highlighted the need for reforms to support Nigeria’s economic growth.
Obi’s Dissatisfaction with the Call
Peter Obi expressed his discontent with Blinken’s call to Tinubu, stating that it lacks clarity.
He further argued that the United States should have waited for the full resolution of ongoing judicial processes before indirectly conferring legitimacy on any of the contending parties.
In a statement shared on his Twitter handle, Obi asserted, “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 16th May 2023.
The most fundamental tenet and core value of democracy is the rule of law.”
Obi emphasized the importance of the rule of law in Nigeria’s democracy and urged that the U.S.-Nigeria relationship should be guided by the core values of democracy.
He called for mutual respect, shared ideals, aspirations, and interests to guide the responses of the United States in Nigerian affairs, transcending individual considerations.
Obi stressed the need for the United States, as a beacon of democracy, to avoid responding to political developments in Nigeria in a manner that could be perceived as taking sides.
He highlighted the ongoing political and judicial processes surrounding the last presidential election in Nigeria, emphasizing that the true winner can only be determined by the relevant courts of law.
He further pointed out alleged violations of the Nigerian Electoral Law and the Nigerian Constitution in relation to the election.
The statement concluded with a plea for the United States to await the full resolution of the judicial processes before implicitly conferring legitimacy on any party involved.