Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip Pierre, has criticized the backlash following President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the Caribbean nation.
Pierre, who addressed the public during his 2025 Emancipation Day speech on August 1, 2025, expressed concern over the “vilification and denigration” of Tinubu’s visit on June 29, 2025, labeling it as a detrimental remnant of colonialism that continues to skew perceptions of African leadership.
“The vilification and denigration of the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, by a politically-motivated faction that is implicitly backed by the opposition was yet another illustration of the damaging consequences of the legacy of slavery — self-hatred and a willingness to regard African individuals and their descendants as inferior,” he stated.
Following Tinubu’s trip on July 29, numerous critics in Nigeria, particularly from opposition parties, questioned the necessity of the visit, especially in light of a devastating flood in Minna, Niger State, which resulted in numerous fatalities.
Likewise, opposition parties and commentators in Saint Lucia examined the expenses associated with the visit, the temporary airport closures, and the nature of any subsequent bilateral agreements.
However, Pierre asserted that such criticisms were politically driven and rooted in a lack of respect for African heritage.
The Prime Minister reiterated Saint Lucia’s gratitude for Tinubu’s visit and highlighted a commitment to fostering stronger relations with Nigeria.
“That conduct was nothing less than shameful and disgraceful. Had the visit been made by a head of state from a different nation, the reception from that group would have at least been respectful.
“To the government and the people of Nigeria, the government and the people of Saint Lucia have been privileged by your president’s visit,” he remarked.
Emancipation Day in Saint Lucia commemorates the abolition of slavery in the British Caribbean and is observed with reflections on racial justice, Pan-Africanism, and solidarity with the African diaspora.
