The government of Saint Lucia has conferred its highest honour, Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia, on President Bola Tinubu.
But the honour did not go down well with the Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in 2023, Peter Obi, who lamented that “while the Presidency basks in the euphoria of titles in St Lucia, our people are being killed at home.”
The honour was conferred on Tinubu at the State Banquet/dinner held in his honour Monday night.
Tinubu is on a two-nation tour of Saint Lucia and Brazil, which began last Sunday.
On Monday, he formally announced the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, describing the development as a “symbolic bridge that will provide a gateway in fostering closer ties between us,” while addressing a joint session of the Saint Lucian bicameral Parliament.
According to Obi, it is alarming that we now live in a country of titles and honours without any passion for the people’s plight.
He said: “A nation where children cannot go to school because some of the teachers have not been paid for almost three years, similar to what I complained about lecturers a few weeks ago. This is not a functioning nation.
“When I said that the President embarking on an eight-day state visit to Saint Lucia at this critical time was inappropriate and unacceptable, it was not a lack of respect for the country of Saint Lucia; rather, it is about the timing and duration for a President whose nation is in turmoil. Timing is everything, and right now, at this time, Nigeria is bleeding.”
But the handlers of the President defended the trip, citing cultural ties and economic gains and said he would also proceed from there to the BRICS summit.
Obi added: “Having been in Saint Lucia for the past four days, we have not seen any agreement being entered or signed that would contribute to Nigeria’s development; rather we are watching the President collect a personal honour and title in Saint Lucia, because they know we are a country of titles and honour and crave accolades instead of actual development.”
