Festus Keyamo, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has condemned Chimamanda Adichie’s letter to US President Joe Biden regarding Bola Tinubu’s election.
The APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson denied her claim that the February 25 presidential election was rigged.
Adichie told Biden on Thursday that the election was marred by irregularities, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of turning a blind eye.
The novelist told Biden that congratulating Tinubu, who was “hastily” named president-elect, taints America’s commitment to democratic processes.
In a statement on Friday, Keyamo said the memo “reflects a pathetic colonial mentality”, mocking long epistles by “bitter sore losers posing as concerned citizens”.
The Minister of State, Labour and Employment noted that presidents make decisions and take actions based on reports from official as well as diplomatic sources.
Keyamo said it was befuddling that someone celebrated for using a God-given talent to promote African values, degraded that same ethos by penning a “petty letter”.
He claimed that urging a foreign power to withhold a “mere congratulatory message to a president-elect” is of no effect as it does not validate Nigeria’s democratic identity.
“It reflects a pathetic colonial mentality. The same foreign power to which the obsequious appeal is directed is still grappling with the credibility of its democratic process that produced its present leadership.”
Keyamo further described those falling over themselves in deluded ecstasy for “a worthless letter” as a band of drowning supporters clutching at any straw to stay afloat.