President-elect Bola Tinubu has promised to hit the ground running and bring the country together when he takes office on May 29.
Tinubu also promised to seek to maintain positive relations with the US in order to capitalise on the benefits of the two countries’ alliance.
This was expressed by the president-elect during a phone discussion with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
According to a statement issued by his spokesman, Tunde Rahman, the former Lagos State governor stated that his immediate goals as president would be to implement institutional reforms and development programmes to strengthen democratic institutions and assist poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
He also expressed his determination to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and faithfully serve the people as their president.
Rahman disclosed that during the talks that lasted about 20 minutes, President-elect Tinubu recalled being granted asylum by the US when he was forced on exile during his struggle for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria, and, while reaffirming his democratic bona fides, expressed his absolute belief that the result of the elections, which he clearly won, reflected the will of the Nigerian people.
He further urged the US to factor in Nigeria’s important place in Africa and provide needed assistance in the areas of security and economic investment in order for the nation to lead the way and be a shining example to the rest of the continent.
On his part, Secretary Blinken assured that Nigeria should expect a good and mutually-beneficial relationship with the US.
He promised to play his part in ensuring and sustaining a cordial relationship between the two nations, saying a democratic and peaceful Nigeria is important to the United States as it is to Africa.
Both President-elect Tinubu and Secretary Blinken ended their discussion with pleasant greetings and a promise to keep the channels of dialogue and communication open, whilst maintaining a strong relationship between the two nations.