Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has addressed a letter to the President of the United States of America Joe Biden concerning Nigeria’s recently concluded election.
In an article titled ‘Nigeria’s Hollowed Democracy’ published on The Atlantic, the prominent author raises concerns about the repeated congratulations extended by Americans to the victor of Nigeria’s problematic February election.
Adichie highlights the passage of Nigeria’s 2022 Electoral Act, which established the legal framework for the voting process. She recounts how citizens lined up to cast their votes on the morning of February 25, with a newfound sense of cautious trust in the system.
However, Adichie reveals that this trust was shattered when evidence of voting irregularities flooded social media the next day. She describes a scene of numbers being altered, written in different ink, and clumsily covered with correction fluid.
Adichie asserts: “The election was not only manipulated, but it was done in such a careless and disrespectful manner that it was an affront to the intelligence of Nigerians.”
Adichie then questions the U.S. State Department’s response in acknowledging the election results and congratulating the presumed winner, Tinubu.
In her communication to Biden, Adichie points out: “Surely, American intelligence cannot be so incompetent. A little investigation would reveal what is glaringly obvious to me and many others: The electoral process was compromised not due to technical shortcomings, but through intentional manipulation.”
Adichie goes on to remind Biden of his advocacy for a ‘global community for democracy’ and the importance of upholding ‘justice and the rule of law.’ She questions the inconsistency of endorsing a president-elect who emerged from an unlawful process, particularly for a country that values the rule of law.
Adichie concludes: “By congratulating the election’s final result, President Biden, the United States undermines its professed dedication to democracy. Please do not bestow legitimacy upon an illegitimate process. Let the United States demonstrate what it claims to be.”
Read the full letter here.
