May 29th: Calling Tinubu is tantamount to endorsing fraud — Atiku tells US

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has expressed his concerns regarding the recent shift in stance by the American government, which appears to lend credibility to the disputed February 25th presidential election, in which the candidate of the ruling party APC emerged as the winner.

The February 25th election has been widely criticized for falling short of expectations, with numerous allegations of rigging that have cast doubts on the integrity of the process. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the nation’s electoral body, failed to adhere to its own guidelines, as promised to Nigerians and the international community, further contributing to the skepticism surrounding the election.

The decision by INEC to not upload real-time results from the polling units, a measure intended to prevent result manipulation and enhance electoral transparency, came as a surprise to many. This sudden change was perceived by some as a deliberate act, raising concerns about INEC’s impartiality and credibility.

According to INEC guidelines and Festus Okoye, who spoke on live TV, the results announced by INEC should reflect the results from the Integrated Result Viewing and Collation System (IReV). However, INEC disregarded these guidelines and proceeded to declare the APC candidate, Tinubu, as the winner, despite objections, protests, and even a call by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to cancel the election.

There are additional questions regarding Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the election due to his possession of dual citizenship in Nigeria and Guinea, which violates the constitution. Moreover, Tinubu’s involvement in drug-related activities and his past prosecution for a drug offense in the United States in 1993 raise further doubts about his qualifications.

In addition to these concerns, Tinubu is widely perceived as an unpopular candidate leading up to the February 25th presidential election. His alleged corruption, advanced age, declining health, and the negative perception of the Buhari government’s failure to fulfill its promises to the Nigerian people have all contributed to his unpopularity. Furthermore, the decision to choose a Muslim running mate has potentially cost him support among the Christian population in the country.

Despite these significant challenges facing Tinubu, it is surprising that he has been imposed on the Nigerian people by the Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC, seemingly with the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari and supporters of an all-Muslim ticket.

Atiku, who was also a victim of the controversial February 25th election orchestrated by the APC government, along with Peter Obi of the Labour Party, is currently contesting Tinubu’s victory in court. He expressed his disbelief at the US government’s recent phone conversation with Tinubu, which contradicts the publicly stated position of the US regarding Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. 

Atiku took to Twitter to convey his displeasure, stating, “I am in disbelief that @SecBlinken called Tinubu, which contradicts 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 contested election of February 25th. Granting legitimacy to a widely acknowledged fraudulent election in Nigeria can undermine the confidence of citizens who have placed their trust in democracy and the integrity of the ballot @StateDept @POTUS @USinNigeria. -AA”