As President-elect Bola Tinubu takes office on May 29, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken says he is determined to further solidify the ties between the US and Nigeria.
According to Matthew Miller, spokesman for the US Department of State, Blinken spoke with Tinubu, who is now in France, on Tuesday.
According to Miller, the two leaders “discussed the importance of inclusive leadership that represents all Nigerians, continued comprehensive security cooperation, and reforms to support economic growth”.
The statement states, “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Nigerian President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu this morning to stress his sustained commitment to further enhancing the U.S.-Nigeria partnership with the next administration.
“The Secretary noted that the U.S.-Nigeria partnership is built on shared interests and strong people-to-people ties and that those links should continue to strengthen under President-elect Tinubu’s tenure. Secretary Blinken and President-elect Tinubu discussed the importance of inclusive leadership that represents all Nigerians, continued comprehensive security cooperation, and reforms to support economic growth.”
Blinken’s meeting with Tinubu comes just days after the US announced that Nigerians who allegedly disrupted the recently finished elections would be subject to visa restrictions.
Though the list of affected persons was not made public, the US government stated that the persons shortlisted for the ban were involved in activities that put democracy in danger by threatening voters, influencing election results, using physical violence, and other means.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) proclaimed Tinubu the victor of the presidential election held on February 25; nevertheless, other rivals have submitted petitions to challenge the results.
