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.