TheCable

Anthony Blinken, US secretary of state, says he is committed to further strengthening US-Nigeria partnership with the incoming administration of President-elect Bola Tinubu.

Matthew Miller, US department of state spokesperson, said Blinken spoke with Tinubu, who is in France, on Tuesday.

Miller said the two leaders “discussed the importance of inclusive leadership that represents all Nigerians, continued comprehensive security cooperation, and reforms to support economic growth”.

“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke this morning with Nigerian President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emphasize his continued commitment to further strengthening the U.S.-Nigeria relationship with the incoming administration,” the statement reads.

“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.”

The development comes a few days after the US announced the imposition of visa restrictions on Nigerians who allegedly disrupted the recently concluded elections.

The US said the affected persons were involved in voter threats, results manipulation, physical violence, and other activities that undermined democracy.

The list of affected persons was, however, not made public.

Tinubu was declared the winner of the February 25 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but other opponents have filed petitions to contest the outcome.

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to hand over to Tinubu on May 29.