Politics
Tinubu’s Visit To Saint Lucia: ‘It’s Shameful, Disgraceful’, PM slams Opposition’s Criticism
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President Tinubu paid a state visit to Saint Lucia on June 29 to deepen ties with the Caribbean and boost South-South cooperation. Despite its historic nature, the visit sparked criticism from some quarters in Saint Lucia.
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The prime minister, in his speech to mark the 2025 Emancipation Day on Monday in Castries, criticised the backlash as politically motivated by a group tacitly backed by the opposition party.
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He said the visit was a success, enhancing diplomatic, cultural, and economic relations between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.
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Mr ?Pierre emphasised the symbolic importance of African unity and pride that the visit reignited.
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?“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.
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?“That behaviour was nothing short of shameful and disgraceful. Had the visit been by a head of state from another country, the reception from that group would have been at the very least respectful,” Mr Pierre stated.
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?The Prime Minister noted that several strategic memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed during President Tinubu’s visit.
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?“I am pleased that during the visit of the president and his delegation, several memorandum of understanding (MOUs) were established for fostering economic, social, educational, and cultural relations with Saint Lucia and the OECS.
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?“My administration will do its best to ensure that those MOUs bear fruit at the earliest opportunity,” Mr Pierre stated.
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?Mr Pierre also expressed gratitude on behalf of Saint Lucia’s government and people for President Tinubu’s visit.
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?The Prime Minister used the occasion, which marked the 191st anniversary of the abolition of slavery, to call on Saint Lucians to confront the lingering effects of colonialism while embracing African unity.
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M?r Pierre acknowledged Saint Lucia’s progress since 1834, but noted that slavery’s legacy still lingers in minds and systems.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.
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