United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has assured Nigeria’s president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that Nigeria will get a good and mutually-beneficial relationship with America.
Blinken stated this during a telephone conversation with Tinubu on Tuesday evening.
A statement issued Wednesday by Tinubu’s media aide, Tunde Rahman, noted that the telephone discussion, which was frank and friendly, was initiated by the top US diplomat.
Blinken promised to play his part in ensuring and sustaining a cordial relationship between the two nations, saying a democratic and peaceful Nigeria is important to the United States as it is to Africa.
On his part, Tinubu promised to hit the ground running and unify the country upon his assumption of office on May 29.
He further pledged to work to ensure continued positive relations with the United States.
The president-elect said his immediate priorities would be to deliver institutional reforms and development programmes to deepen 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 phone talk 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.
Reaffirming his democratic bona fides, the president-elect 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.
“Both President-elect Tinubu and Secretary 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,” Rahman stated.
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