Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the just concluded general election has stated that the manipulation and falsification of the will of Nigerians in the February 25 election cannot be overlooked by the true friends and partners of Nigeria.
This, he said after then United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken called the President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the 16th of May, 2023 to reemphasize the willingness to strengthen the relationship between the US and Nigeria.
The former Anambra State Governor noted that there was no clarification on the call while disclosing that ‘Nigerians expect that the U.S. responses to our affairs should be based on mutual respect, shared ideals, aspirations, and interests which ought to transcend the considerations of any individual.’
His statement on Friday reads; “There is still a lack of clarity based on 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.
Nigeria’s democracy is founded on these principles which the American people hold dear. Without the risk of interfering in Nigeria’s domestic affairs, the U.S.-Nigeria relationship should be guided by the core values of democracy.
Above all, Nigerians expect that the U.S. responses to our affairs should be based on mutual respect, shared ideals, aspirations, and interests which ought to transcend the considerations of any individual.
Contextually, the willful manipulation and falsification of the will of Nigerians as freely expressed during the February 25 elections cannot be overlooked by the true friends and partners of Nigeria.”
He further warned that the US which prides itself on being the beacon of democracy should not take sides in the political development in Nigeria while urging the US to await the full resolution of the court processes.
“It is thus of overarching importance that a beacon of democracy like the United States should not respond to political developments in Nigeria in a manner that faintly suggests taking sides. There is an evolving political and judicial process around the last presidential election in Nigeria. We expect the United States to await the full resolution of the ongoing judicial processes before tacitly conferring legitimacy on any of the contending parties.
The final determination of the true winner of the election can only be made by the relevant courts of law. More so, the issues in judicial contention imply far-reaching violations of both the Nigerian Electoral Law and the Nigerian Constitution. -PO”
