Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has visited the president-elect, Bola Tinubu.
Blair met with Tinubu at the Defence House ahead of next week’s Monday swearing-in ceremony of the president-elect.
There is no official statement on the meeting yet but a source in Tinubu’s camp confirmed Blair’s visit describing it as ‘crucial diplomatic meeting’.
“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 US Secretary also called Asiwaju last week,” he said.
In attendance at the meeting were Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima.
During their chat, Tinubu pledge 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.
Recall that the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, spoke with Tinubu on the phone on Tuesday and underscored his continued commitment to further strengthening the US-Nigeria relationship with the incoming administration
The President-elect disclosed 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.
He also expressed his determination to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and faithfully serve the people as their president.
During the talks that lasted about 20 minutes, Tinubu recounted his time in America in the 1970s, where he graduated with honours as an accountant in 1979.