Tinubu’s St Lucia trip not a vacation, Presidency counters Obi
The Presidency defended President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing state visit to Saint Lucia on Sunday, emphasizing it as a significant diplomatic and cultural endeavor.It stated that the visit is revitalizing Nigeria’s historical and strategic relationships with the Caribbean nation and the broader Caribbean Community.
In a statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency noted, “Considering some Nigerians’ misguided, mischievous, and uninformed remarks regarding President Bola Tinubu’s historic state visit to Saint Lucia, it is essential to clarify the visit’s purpose.”
The statement came in light of reactions from Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party during the 2023 election, and others.
Obi mentioned in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday that he was “struggling to comprehend what is occurring with governance in this country.”
Obi expressed his astonishment over the President’s trip to the Caribbean, especially after what he referred to as a holiday in Lagos.
“I couldn’t believe that anyone in a position of authority, particularly the President… would consider a leisure trip at this time,” he remarked.
However, the Presidency responded, stating, “From the viewpoint of the Government of Saint Lucia, the Nigerian leader’s visit is a step towards rekindling our ancestral ties, signaling the start of a new phase of diplomatic, cultural, and economic opportunities between our countries.”
Onanuga pointed out that Saint Lucia, along with many Caribbean nations, has deep ancestral connections to West Africa, notably Nigeria.
“In the mid-19th century, a wave of immigrants from what is now Nigeria made their way to Saint Lucia, bringing along cultural and religious practices that continue to this day,” he explained.
The statement added, “Citizens of Saint Lucia are thrilled that President Tinubu has selected their island for a visit. They are eager to reinforce their relationships with African nations with which they share ancestral heritage.”
The Presidency characterized the visit as a significant initiative in the context of South-South cooperation and Nigeria’s Four D’s foreign policy strategy: Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography.
It mentioned, “Saint Lucia serves as the headquarters for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and acts as a gateway to the 15 CARICOM member nations.
“The combined GDP of the CARICOM states exceeds $130 billion, a notable figure within the South-South trade conversation.”
Referencing diplomatic and historical connections, Onanuga highlighted important historical links between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, particularly the life and career of Sir Darnley Alexander—a Saint Lucian who was Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1975 to 1979.
“Sir Darnley Alexander, a jurist born in Saint Lucia who passed away on February 10, 1989, served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1975 until 1979.
“He first came to Nigeria in 1957, hired as a legal draftsman by the Western Regional Government led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo,” it stated.
The statement noted that Alexander became the acting Director of Public Prosecutions in 1958 and was appointed Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Western Regional Ministry of Justice in 1960; four years later, he became a judge on the Lagos High Court and, in 1969, was appointed Chief Judge by the defunct South Eastern State.
It mentioned that he later ascended to the role of Chief Justice of Nigeria in 1975, following Sir Teslim Olawale Elias.
The Presidency also acknowledged contributions from other Saint Lucians, including Neville Skeete, who played a role in designing the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters, and Sir Darnley’s son Michael, who was a prominent medical officer during the Nigerian civil war.
On the cultural side, the Presidency noted that Tinubu’s visit aligns with the African Union’s Sixth Region agenda, which recognizes the African diaspora as an essential partner in development.
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