The US Ambassador commended Obi and Atiku for their commitment to explore legal means in contesting the result of the general elections.
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, has questioned the legitimacy of Nigeria’s recently concluded presidential election.
According to the envoy, the outcome of the exercise fell short of Nigerians’ expectations, as many people have continued to express their anger and frustration with the results, while others are celebrating what they believe was a legitimately earned victory.
Overall, Leonard praised Nigerians for peacefully demonstrating their belief in and dedication to democracy.
She stated this in an op-ed titled “The Elections of February 25,” in which she also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address the issues that can be resolved before the March 11 governorship and state assembly elections.
Leonard also advised the commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the issues that undermined the credibility of the previous elections and determine what can be done to address them.
While congratulating Labour Party and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar on their commitment to investigate legal options to challenge the presidential elections, Leonard also praised President-elect Bola Tinubu for acknowledging their right to do so.
“The people of Nigeria demonstrated their dedication to democracy on February 25, but there are many angry and frustrated Nigerians, as well as many who are celebrating victories they believe were hard-fought and well-earned,” the statement said in part.
It is critical for the future of this country that Nigerians do not let their differences divide them, and that the legally established process for resolving election challenges be allowed to run its course.
“For the first time, four presidential candidates won at least one state, and the top three each won 12 states based on these initial results.
“Even though the results of the National Assembly elections are still being tallied, we already know that changes are afoot: seven sitting governors lost their bids for election to the Assembly; the Labor Party has won at least seven seats in the Senate; and the NNPP has won at least 11 seats in the House of Representatives.”
