The Presidency has responded to criticisms surrounding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s current visit to Saint Lucia, clarifying that the trip is a diplomatic engagement and not a leisure outing, as alleged by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described the trip as a strategic cultural and diplomatic mission aimed at rekindling Nigeria’s ancestral ties with the Caribbean nation and strengthening South-South cooperation.
Peter Obi had questioned the timing and purpose of the trip, suggesting it appeared indulgent, especially following what he described as a recent “holiday” in Lagos. In response, the Presidency emphasized that Saint Lucia is historically connected to Nigeria through centuries-old migration and cultural ties.
It noted that President Tinubu’s visit was welcomed by Saint Lucians eager to revive those shared links and explore deeper economic, cultural, and diplomatic collaboration.
Onanuga further underscored the significance of the visit, referencing the historical legacy of Saint Lucian-born Sir Darnley Alexander, who served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1975 to 1979. The statement also mentioned other notable Saint Lucians who contributed to Nigeria’s development.
The visit, the Presidency said, aligns with Tinubu’s foreign policy strategy built on the “Four D’s” — Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography — and aims to open doors for trade and regional cooperation across the CARICOM bloc.
