ABUJA, Nigeria – Amid political and judicial turmoil following Nigeria’s February 25th presidential elections, Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called into question a recent phone call from U.S. Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The call, which occurred on May 16th, is seen by Obi as problematic due to its potential to inadvertently confer legitimacy to a candidate amid an ongoing judicial review of the elections.
In a statement on Twitter on Friday, May 19, 2023, Obi said, “Nigeria’s democracy is founded on principles which the American people hold dear…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.”
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.
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) May 19, 2023
The contention lies in the handling of the February 25 elections, which are alleged to have been marred by willful manipulation and falsification, violating both the Nigerian Electoral Law and the Nigerian Constitution.
Obi expressed his belief that only the relevant courts of law can make a final determination on the true winner of the election.
He also stressed the importance of mutual respect and shared ideals in the U.S.-Nigeria relationship, stating, “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.”
The remarks come as a direct critique of the U.S.’s apparent hastiness in its response to Nigeria’s political affairs.
Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, detailing the conversation between Secretary Blinken and President-elect Tinubu.
“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke this morning with Nigerian President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emphasize his continued commitment to further strengthening the U.S.-Nigeria relationship with the incoming administration,” the statement published on the US government website read.
“The Secretary noted that the U.S.-Nigeria partnership is built on shared interests and strong people-to-people ties and that those links should continue to strengthen under President-elect Tinubu’s tenure.”
Obi’s intervention imply that the United States, often considered a beacon of democracy, should refrain from taking sides, especially as the political and judicial process around the last presidential election is still evolving.
As the political landscape in Nigeria remains in flux, the international community watches closely, with the expectation that the country’s own judicial process will provide a fair and just resolution to the contested presidential election.
Meanwhile, the comments by Peter Obi are likely to spark further international debate on the role of foreign nations in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
American Academic Condemns Secretary of State Blinken for Congratulating Alleged Drug Lord, Bola Tinubu
FLORIDA, USA – Jeffrey Guterman, a prominent figure in the academic community, on Thursday, May 18, 2023 has publicly criticised U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken for congratulating Bola Tinubu, the controversial Nigerian President-Elect accused of involvement in drug trafficking.
In a tweet aimed at Secretary Blinken, Dr Guterman lambasted the decision to offer congratulations to Tinubu, who has been implicated in a variety of alleged illicit activities. He criticized the U.S. State Department for its purported “corruption and/or cluelessness,” referencing an election fraught with allegations of fraud and currently contested within the Nigerian judiciary.
“@SecBlinken: Tinubu is a drug trafficker who has destroyed countless lives and you called to congratulate him for winning the presidential election? What kind of hot hell is that?” tweeted Dr. Guterman, in his direct call-out of the Secretary of State.
To @SecBlinken: Tinubu is a drug trafficker who has destroyed countless lives and you called to congratulate him for winning the presidential election? What kind of hot hell is that? The presidential election was marred by fraudulence and is contested in the Nigerian judiciary.… pic.twitter.com/YwxcqnqZPv
— Dr. Jeffrey Guterman (@JeffreyGuterman) May 18, 2023
Jeffrey Guterman, 65, is a retired psychotherapist based in Miami Beach, Florida with over a 100 publications under his belt. He is a staunch supporter of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party and has held a number of Twitter Spaces to discuss developments in the 2023 presidential race.
Dr. Guterman’s outrage underscores an increasingly contentious international relationship with Nigeria following the controversial election of Bola Tinubu, a figure who has been accused of destroying numerous lives through his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
This public rebuke by a prominent academic figure like Guterman may prompt further questions about the U.S. State Department’s stance towards foreign leaders with alleged criminal histories, and the potential implications this could have for diplomatic relations moving forward.
As it stands, the State Department has yet to respond to Dr Guterman’s public criticism.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s the president-elect, has a controversial criminal past that includes involvement in drug trafficking.
In the 1990s, Tinubu was reportedly implicated in a drug trafficking case, in which he forfeited $460,000 to the US government to avoid going to jail.
Vawulence Monday: @UberFacts Claps Back at APC Supporters with Evidence on Tinubu’s Drug Case https://t.co/cL1Rw1UOfr pic.twitter.com/5Pgd7ySNtY
— The Trent (@TheTrentOnline) April 10, 2023
Despite these allegations, Tinubu has consistently denied any involvement in illegal activities.
The American response to the Nigerian election will continue to be a topic of interest, as international observers closely watch the U.S. State Department’s handling of this complex and sensitive matter.
No matter the devil in power, open channels of communication can be important for addressing various issues, including those related to the interests of both countries involved.
— IPC Justice (@ipcjustice) May 18, 2023
