I’ll prioritise assisting poor Nigerians, reform institutions, Tinubu tells Blinken

President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu said one of his immediate goals is to implement institutional reforms and development programmes that strengthen the nation’s democratic institutions and assist the poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

Tinubu said this during a telephone conversation initiated by the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, a statement by the president-elect said.

The former Lagos State governor pledged to work to ensure continued positive relations with the United States and promised to hit the ground running and unify the country upon his assumption of office on Monday, May 29.

Tinubu said during the discussion with Blinken, he recalled how the US had granted him asylum after he was forced into exile by the military junta of the late General Sani Abacha because of his tenacious fight for democracy in Nigeria.

However, Tinunu reaffirmed his democratic bona fides and stated that he believed that the result of the 2023 presidential elections reflected the will of the Nigerian people.

He also expressed his determination to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and faithfully serve the people as their president noting that he would work to unite the country and ensure that Nigerians are happy and enjoy the benefits of democracy and progressive good governance.

The President-elect added that without national unity, security, economic development, and good governance, Nigeria would not become a better place to live or play its proper role in the community of African nations.

He urged the US to factor in Nigeria’s important place in Africa and provide needed assistance in the areas of security and economic investment for the nation to lead the way and be a shining example to the rest of the continent.

Secretary Blinken, however, assured Nigeria that it should expect a good and mutually beneficial relationship with the US and promised to play its part in bringing a sustained and cordial relationship between the two nations to fruition.

Blinken also noted that a democratic and peaceful Nigeria is as important to the United States as it is to Africa.