Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia has strongly condemned what he described as “shameful and disgraceful” attacks on Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu by a politically motivated group, tacitly supported by the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), during Tinubu’s recent state visit to the Caribbean nation.
The remarks, delivered during a nationwide address on Emancipation Day, August 1, 2025, showed Pierre’s commitment to fostering unity and deepening ties with Nigeria, despite the controversy surrounding the visit.
Tinubu’s state visit, which took place from June 28 to July 4, 2025, aimed to strengthen diplomatic, cultural, and economic relations between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.
The visit, which included a historic address to Saint Lucia’s Parliament and the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MOUs), was hailed by Pierre as a pivotal moment for Africa-Caribbean collaboration.
However, it faced backlash from some quarters, with the opposition UWP criticizing the government for a lack of transparency regarding the visit’s costs and logistical disruptions, including temporary airport and road closures.
In his address, Pierre decried the “vilification and denigration” of Tinubu, attributing the attacks to a group influenced by colonial-era divisions and tacitly backed by the opposition.
“Had the visitor been a head of state from another country, the reception would have been at the very least respectful,” Pierre said, suggesting that the criticism reflected lingering self-hate and disrespect for African leadership.
He argued that such behavior undermines the shared African heritage that binds Saint Lucia and Nigeria, referencing historical ties like the service of Saint Lucian Sir Darnley Alexander as Nigeria’s Chief Justice from 1975 to 1979.
The visit, a landmark event for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), resulted in agreements on education, tourism, healthcare, and renewable energy cooperation.
Tinubu pledged tuition scholarships for OECS students, proposed a visa-waiver for diplomats, and advocated for a direct air link to boost connectivity.
Pierre emphasized that these MOUs would “bear fruit at the earliest opportunity,” positioning Nigeria as a key partner in Saint Lucia’s outreach to Africa.
Pierre framed the attacks as a symptom of deeper psychological and systemic barriers rooted in slavery’s legacy, urging Saint Lucians to embrace unity and reject division.
“We must recommit ourselves to a shared purpose,” he said, noting that Tinubu’s visit, coming 27 years after Nelson Mandela’s, symbolized freedom and celebration.
He also apologized for disruptions caused by the visit, acknowledging public inconvenience while defending its significance.
