The presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has expressed disbelief that US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken called Nigerian President-elect Bola Tinubu.
He said this in a message he personally signed on Wednesday evening.
In a press release published on its website on Tuesday, the US Department of State said, “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Nigerian President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu this morning to emphasise his continued commitment to further strengthening the U.S.-Nigeria relationship with the incoming administration.”
According to the statement, Blinken looks forward to strengthening the US-Nigeria partnership built on shared interests and strong people-to-people ties after Tinubu is sworn in as president on 29 May.
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“Secretary Blinken and President-elect Tinubu discussed the importance of inclusive leadership that represents all Nigerians, continued comprehensive security cooperation, and reforms to support economic growth,” the press release further read.
Tinubu’s camp also confirmed the phone conversation, saying it was “frank and friendly”.
A statement signed by Tunde Rahman in the Office of the President-elect said that Tinubu has promised to hit the ground running and unify the country upon his assumption of office on May 29, while also pledging to ensure positive relations with the United States.
“The President-elect said that among his immediate priorities would be to deliver institutional reforms and development programs to deepen our democratic institutions and bring help to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
“He also expressed his determination to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and faithfully serve the people as their president.
“During the talks that lasted about 20 minutes, President-elect Tinubu spoke about his eventful sojourn in America in the 70s, where he graduated with honours as an accountant in 1979.
“He also recalled how he was granted asylum by the US when, due to his determined struggle for democracy in Nigeria, he was forced into exile by the late General Sani Abacha’s military junta.
“While affirming his democratic bonafides, President-elect Tinubu expressed his absolute belief that the result of the elections, which he clearly won, reflected the will of the Nigerian people.
“He said he would work to unite the country and ensure that Nigerians are happy and enjoy the benefits of democracy and progressive good governance.
“Responding to Secretary Blinken, the President-elect said without national unity, security, economic development and good governance, Nigeria would not become a better place to live in or play her proper role in the comity of African nations.
“He urged the US to factor in Nigeria’s important place in Africa and provide needed assistance in the areas of security and economic investment in order for the nation to lead the way and be a shining example to the rest of the continent,” the statement read in part.
Meanwhile, Atiku described Blinken’s call to Tinubu as inconceivable and contradictory to the position of the US on the 2023 general election in Nigeria.
He said legitimising the “sham election” would demoralise Nigerian citizens and distort their belief in democracy.
“I am in disbelief that Secretary Antony Blinken 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,” Atiku said.
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