In a recent development following the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has raised doubts about the nature and foundation of a phone conversation between Antony Blinken, the United States Secretary of State, and Bola Tinubu, the President-elect.
Expressing his views on Twitter on Friday, May 19, 2023, Obi highlighted the significance of waiting for the judgment of the presidential election tribunal before attributing legitimacy.
Obi's tweet read, "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."
Pulse had earlier reported that Blinken initiated a call to Tinubu while the President-elect was in France, expressing his commitment to strengthening the relationship between the United States and Nigeria.
During their conversation, Blinken reaffirmed his dedication to enhancing the partnership between the two nations under the incoming administration of Tinubu.
The telephone exchange between the US Secretary of State and the President-elect has sparked concerns from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party.
Atiku reacts to Blinken's call to Tinubu
Pulse also reports that Atiku Abubakar, who is contesting Tinubu's victory at the tribunal, also criticised the assurances of bilateral cooperation offered by the Secretary of State, citing contradictions with the United States' previous position on Nigeria's general election.
Abubakar referred to a statement earlier 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.