Prime Minister Philip Pierre of Saint Lucia has denounced the “vilification and denigration” of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu by a group allegedly backed by the opposition, following his recent visit to the Caribbean nation.
Speaking during his country’s 2025 Emancipation Day address, Pierre criticized Nigerians who attacked President Tinubu over his July visit to Saint Lucia, where he sought to formalize relations with the island and other members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Describing the backlash as a painful reflection of the “harmful effects of the legacy of slavery,” Pierre said it revealed “self-hate and a readiness to accept African people and their descendants as inferior.”
“That behaviour was nothing short of shameful and disgraceful. Had the visit been from the Head of State of another country, the reception from that group would have at least been respectful,” he added.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Saint Lucia’s commitment to implementing the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries.
During President Tinubu’s visit, he was conferred with the highest national honour, Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL). Pierre explained that the award recognized Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen the historical and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
