Atiku kicks, as US Secretary of State Blinken calls Tinubu

Details of a phone call between President-elect Bola Tinubu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have prompted a response from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

We had previously reported that Blinken had given the Nigerian President-elect assurances that the United States would continue to strengthen relations with Nigeria under the incoming administration during their phone call on Wednesday.

The Secretary emphasized that shared interests and solid interpersonal relationships formed the foundation of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership, which should continue to grow under President-elect Tinubu’s leadership.

In contrast, Atiku expressed shock at the call in a tweet on Wednesday, claiming it was in direct opposition to the US’s previously stated policy regarding Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.

He asserts that acknowledging the outcome of the 2023 presidential election may demoralize the populace.

I find it hard to believe that @SecBlinken called Tinubu given the US’s previously stated position regarding Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. This is incomprehensible given that America, the cradle of democracy, is well informed about the fraudulent election of February 25.

“Giving legitimacy to the widely acknowledged fraudulent election in Nigeria can demoralize citizens who have hedged their bet on democracy and the sanctity of the ballot,” wrote @StateDept @POTUS @USinNigeria.