Nigeria’s president-elect, Bola Tinubu has detailed how he was granted asylum by the United States government when he was in exile from military rule.
Tinubu in a telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken noted that this was part of his efforts towards ensuring democracy in Nigeria.
Senator Tinubu, who stated his commitment to unite and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, said his relentless struggle for democracy and his fight against the late General Sani Abacha’s military junta which ousted the then Interim administration of Chief Ernest Shonekan in the November 17, 1993 bloodless coup d’etat, forced him to flee the Country to the US who granted him asylum.
During the conversation, the Senator expressed his utmost faith in the election and election process in which he emerged victorious, stating that the election reflected the wish of Nigerians.
Reacting to Secretary Blinken, Sen Tinubu said Without national unity, security, economic development, and good governance, Nigeria will become inhabitable and would fail to play her vital role among the comity of African Nations. He, therefore stated his commitment to ensuring Nigerians enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Responding to the Senator, Secretary Blinken assured of a cordial relationship between Nigeria and the US. He promised to play his part in maintaining a harmonious relationship between both nations saying, a democratic and peaceful Nigeria is important to the US as it is to Africa.
The conversation which lasted about 20 minutes ended with both parties promising to keep the channels of communication open while maintaining a strong relationship between both Nations.
