May 17, (THEWILL) – Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has described the telephone call put across to President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by the United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, as giving legitimacy to a ‘fraudulent election’.
The President-elect is currently in Europe, according to a statement issued by his Media office.
THEWILL earlier reported that Blinken phoned Tinubu on Tuesday evening, to discuss ways that the U.S. and Nigeria could strengthen their partnership under the incoming administration of Tinubu.
Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State, Matthew Miller, who confirmed the phone conversation, said Tinubu and Blinken “discussed the importance of inclusive leadership that represents all Nigerians, continued comprehensive security cooperation, and reforms to support economic growth”.
But reacting in a tweet on Wednesday evening, Atiku said Blinken’s action contradicts the U.S. government’s position on the February 25 presidential election.
“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.”
Atiku and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are challenging Tinubu’s declaration as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
