Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip Pierre has condemned what he calls politically motivated criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s June visit, calling it “shameful” and rooted in a slavery mentality.
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Mr Tinubu paid a state visit to Saint Lucia on June 29 to deepen ties with the Caribbean and boost South-South cooperation. Despite its historic nature, the visit sparked criticism from some quarters in Saint Lucia.
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The prime minister, in his speech to mark the 2025 Emancipation Day on Monday in Castries, criticised the backlash as politically motivated by a group tacitly backed by the opposition party.
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He said the visit was a success, enhancing diplomatic, cultural, and economic relations between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.
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Mr ‎Pierre emphasised the symbolic importance of African unity and pride that the visit reignited.
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‎“The vilification and denigration of the president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, by a politically motivated group, tacitly supported by the opposition party, was another demonstration of the harmful effects of the legacy of slavery: self-hate and a readiness to accept African people and their descendants as inferior.
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‎“That behaviour was nothing short of shameful and disgraceful. Had the visit been by a head of state from another country, the reception from that group would have been at the very least respectful,” Mr Pierre stated.
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‎The prime minister noted that several strategic memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed during Mr Tinubu’s visit.
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‎“I am pleased that during the visit of the president and his delegation, several memorandum of understanding (MOUs) were established for fostering economic, social, educational, and cultural relations with Saint Lucia and the OECS.
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‎“My administration will do its best to ensure that those MOUs bear fruit at the earliest opportunity,” Mr Pierre stated.
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‎Mr Pierre also expressed gratitude on behalf of Saint Lucia’s government and people for Mr Tinubu’s visit.
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‎The prime minister used the occasion, which marks the 191st anniversary of the abolition of slavery, to call on Saint Lucians to confront the lingering effects of colonialism while embracing African unity.
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M‎r Pierre acknowledged Saint Lucia’s progress since 1834, but noted that slavery’s legacy still lingers in minds and systems.

‎He called for deeper collaboration between Africa and the Caribbean to accelerate black emancipation and development.

(NAN)