Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, has strongly criticised the backlash trailing Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to the Caribbean island, describing the reaction as both “shameful” and deeply rooted in a legacy of self-hate stemming from colonialism and slavery.
Tinubu visited Saint Lucia as part of the Emancipation Day celebrations held in honour of the island’s historical ties to Africa and its long-standing cultural connection with Nigeria. The visit, however, drew criticism from some citizens and online commentators who questioned the relevance and motive behind the Nigerian leader’s presence.
Reacting to the uproar, Prime Minister Pierre, in a statement released on Friday, said the criticism exposes a troubling mindset among some citizens of African descent who have yet to fully embrace their roots.
“It is shameful that a visit meant to celebrate unity, shared history, and our African identity is being twisted into a spectacle of division,” Pierre stated. “This backlash reflects a painful truth – that many of us are still mentally enslaved and struggling with the effects of colonial indoctrination.”
Pierre emphasized that President Tinubu’s visit was not political, but cultural and symbolic, intended to strengthen ties between Africa and the Caribbean, both of which share common historical struggles and aspirations for development.
He added that African leaders should feel welcome in the Caribbean, just as Caribbean leaders are welcomed in Africa, urging critics to move beyond the legacies of the past and embrace a future grounded in solidarity and mutual respect.
“We must stop viewing ourselves through the lens of the coloniser. Embracing our African brothers and sisters is not just ceremonial – it is necessary for healing and growth,” the prime minister concluded.
President Tinubu has yet to respond publicly to the criticisms, but Nigerian officials have described the trip as successful and part of broader efforts to reconnect with the African diaspora.
