Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the recently concluded General Election, has criticized the call made by US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, to President-elect Bola Tinubu.

Obi urged that the court should decide the legitimate president of Nigeria, expressing his disagreement with Blinken's call.

Obi shared his thoughts on Twitter, responding to the conversation between Tinubu and Blinken. The call has sparked reactions from opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who described it as demoralizing.

Obi emphasized that the US should wait for the resolution of ongoing judicial processes before conferring legitimacy on any party.

“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.

“The final determination of the true winner of the election can only be made by the relevant courts of law,” he added.

“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 US responses to our affairs should be based on mutual respect, shared ideals, aspirations and interests which ought to transcend the considerations of any individual,” Obi wrote.

The former Anambra governor added that 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.” 

“More so, the issues in judicial contention imply far-reaching violations of both the Nigerian Electoral Law and the Nigerian Constitution,” he maintained.

The National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno, has assured Nigerians of adequate security during the presidential inauguration ceremony.

Monguno gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja at a World Press Conference organised to mark the commencement of activities for the May 29 presidential inauguration.

The NSA, who heads the Security, Facilities and Intelligence Committee of the Presidential Transition Council, said necessary measures had been put in place to provide all-round security.

He said security would be beefed up at Eagle Square, the venue of the May 29 presidential inauguration and its environs.

Monguno also said there would be tight security in and around hotels to ensure the safety of guests coming into the Federal Capital Territory from within and outside Nigeria.

According to him, membership of the committee, which is drawn from various security agencies, has been collaborating to ensure a seamless transition.

“It is perhaps the most critical of all the committees by virtue of the nature of its own task.

“That is why membership of the committee comprises representatives or heads of agencies at the highest level.

“The Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director General of the SSS, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency and the Governor of Kebbi State, who sits in as a representative of the incoming government,” he said.

Monguno further said, “Our main function and primary concern is the provision of both overt and covert security cover for all the venues where the programmes will take place.

“As well as hotels in which invited guests and dignitaries will be staying for the period up to the inauguration and immediately after.”

On the restriction of movement, Monguno said there would be restriction of movement at a certain range around Eagle Square.

He also said there would be traffic diversion and provision of alternative routes for motorists and pedestrians.

While assuring Nigerians of a peaceful inauguration, he urged them to steer clear of anything that would threaten the peace of the nation.

“The committee has concluded arrangements for accreditation and issuance of tags, passes and identity documents for all security agents.

“If you have no business with security you need not be near the vicinity of the programme, especially on the inauguration day.

“We do not envisage anything that will be negative on that day, so, I urge everybody to be calm,” he said.

NAN