St. Lucian PM slams Peter Obi, opposition party for criticising Tinubu’s visit

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia has slammed opposition groups and figures for attacking President Bola Tinubu over his visit to the country, describing such criticism as “shameful and disgraceful”.
Defending Mr Tinubu’s visit to his country while delivering his speech to celebrate the 2025 Emancipation Day in Castries, Mr Pierre described the criticism as politically motivated attacks.
“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. That behaviour was nothing short of shameful and disgraceful,” Mr Pierre said in his speech.
Last month, Mr Tinubu travelled for eight days to Saint Lucia for a state visit aimed at strengthening ties with Caribbean nations and enhancing South-South cooperation.
Amid the visit, Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and other opposition figures condemned Mr Tinubu’s visit to St. Lucia, describing the trip as grossly inappropriate and unacceptable.
Mr Obi added that the trip came at a time when the nation was “bleeding and in turmoil.”
“When I said that the president embarking on an eight-day state visit to St. Lucia at this critical time was inappropriate and unacceptable, it was not a lack of respect for the country of St.Lucia; rather, it is about the timing and duration for a president whose nation is in turmoil,” the opposition leader said in a statement.
He further explained that if the visit had been by a ‘Head of State’ from another country, the reception would have also been more markedly more respectful.
Emphasising the significance of Mr Tinubu’s visit to Saint Lucia, Mr Pierre appreciated it as an honour for the island nation, adding that it is also a milestone in fostering deeper bilateral and regional relationships.
“To the government and people of the Republic of Nigeria, the government and people of Saint Lucia have been honoured by the visit of your President and look forward to establishing and deepening economic, social and cultural ties with your country,” he said.
Mr Pierre, however, reiterated Saint Lucia’s commitment to building robust diplomatic and economic ties with Nigeria and other African countries, highlighting the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MOUs) during the visit.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

World
Saint Lucia PM slams opposition’s criticism of Tinubu’s visit as ‘shameful, disgraceful’
Mr Pierre said the visit was a success, enhancing diplomatic, cultural, and economic relations between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.

NationWide
NSE seeks stronger Nigeria, Japan partnership for infrastructure development
The NSE president expressed appreciation to the Japanese government for its continued support.

States
Police nab two suspected cultists, recover ammunition in Eket
The PPRO said that efforts were ongoing to arrest others that are at large.

Sport
Manchester United, Newcastle battle for Benjamin Šeško as Magpies submit €80 million bid
Šeško scored 18 goals in all competitions for RB Leipzig last season.

Health
Nigerian nurses, midwives suspend seven-day nationwide warning strike
The suspension by NANNM followed a virtual emergency meeting of its national executive council.

States
Army donates industrial borehole to Enugu community
Mr Eze commended the COAS for approving and funding the project.