The United States Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken has assured Nigerian President-elect Bola Tinubu of the US commitment to further strengthening the relationship between both countries with the incoming administration.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Matthew Miller, Blinken said he made a call to Tinubu on Tuesday that “the U.S.-Nigeria partnership is built on shared interests and strong people-to-people ties.
“And those links should continue to strengthen under President-elect Tinubu’s tenure. administration”.
Miller said that Blinken and Tinubu discussed “the importance of inclusive leadership that represents all Nigerians, continued comprehensive security cooperation, and reforms to support economic growth”.
In a statement by Tinubu’s office, the President-elect was quoted to have promised to hit the ground running and unify the country upon his assumption of office on 29th May. He further pledged to work to ensure continued positive relations between Nigeria and the United States.
Tuesday evening’s telephone conversation, which was said to have been frank and friendly, was initiated by the US diplomat.
The President-elect said his immediate priorities would be to deliver institutional reforms and development programmes to deepen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and bring help to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
He also expressed his determination to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and faithfully serve the people as their president.
During the talks that lasted about 20 minutes, Tinubu recalled being granted asylum by the US when he was forced on exile during his struggle for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria, and, while reaffirming his democratic bona fides, expressed his absolute belief that the result of the elections, which he clearly won, reflected the will of the Nigerian people.
He further urged the US to factor in Nigeria’s important place in Africa and provide needed assistance in the areas of security and economic investment in order for the nation to lead the way and be a shining example to the rest of the continent.
Tinubu and Blinken ended their discussion with pleasant greetings and a promise to keep the channels of dialogue and communication open, whilst maintaining a strong relationship between the two nations.
Credit: The New Americans magazine (https://thenewamericansmag.com/)/Office of Nigeria’s President-elect
