Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, on Tuesday, paid a visit to the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, at the Defence House in Abuja.
The visit comes six days before Tinubu’s inauguration as successor to outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari.
Tinubu disclosed this in a tweet on his handle.
He said, “I don’t have all the details yet. But I believe it has to do with fostering a bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. I hope you are aware that the U.S Secretary also called Tinubu last week.’’
In attendance at the meeting were Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima.
Since Tinubu was declared winner of the February 25 presidential election, he has been receiving calls and congratulatory messages from several world leaders, including the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.
Last Tuesday, the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, called Tinubu, emphasising his continued commitment to further strengthening the U.S-Nigeria relationship with the incoming administration.
During their conversation, Tinubu promised to hit the ground running and unify the country upon his assumption of office on May 29. He also pledged to ensure positive relations with the United States.
The President-elect said that among his immediate priorities would be to deliver institutional reforms and development programmes to deepen our democratic institutions and bring help to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Spokesperson Matthew Miller who disclosed this in a brief communique, said 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.
A week later, US President, Joe Biden announced a nine-member delegation for Tinubu’s swearing-in on May 29.
The delegation will be led by Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia L. Fudge.
