Tinubu To African Leaders: We Must Guard Against External Forces Infiltrating Our Ranks

* African continent won’t allow outside forces to disrupt peace past heroes sacrificed their lives to achieve, says president

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday called on African leaders to guard against external forces infiltrating their ranks.

The president, who spoke as the special guest at the swearing-in of President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana in Accra, declared that the African continent won’t allow any outside forces to disrupt peace achieved by past heroes through their blood, sweat and lives.

He said: “Today, I am here not only as the President of Nigeria but also as an African in resolute support for Ghana and her people. This moment is a source of pride and honour for you, the entire continent, and its Diaspora.

“The sun is out, and the sky says daylight, but I see today a black star rising high in the African sky. This black star shines over this nation, and its rays spread across this continent with a sense of shared history, hope, compassion, unity and devotion to our common welfare.

“While others may seek to demean Africa and keep brother pitted against brother, that shining star reminds us of who we are. Better yet, it reminds us of who we can be. That star means that we shall always strive to work together. Even when we disagree, we shall dialogue and discuss until we reach an agreement. Never, never shall we harm others and never allow any outsider to hurt us or disrupt the unity for which so many of our heroes gave their sweat, blood and very lives to achieve.”

President Tinubu also explained that both Nigeria and Ghana have succeeded in silencing critics through positive steps being taken to move people out of poverty and build a resilient economy “at our own pace”.

“This moment does more than symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society. It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly. It is time that Africa’s critics stop forgetting the strides your nation, Nigeria and others have made by continuing to ask us to prove ourselves. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have found the critical path to our success. We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace.”

The president, who described the new President of Ghana as a brother, friend and a man of patriotic vision and substance, expressed his readiness to work with Ghanaian President for the good of both Nigeria and Ghana.

His words: “Your new president is a man of patriotic vision and substance. He loves his nation and its people to the core. He believes that your nation has a mission and intends for you all to fulfil it. No one can ask more of a leader than that.

“President John Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters.

The bond is strong and cannot be broken.”

He stressed that Nigeria and Ghana share many things in common including drawing inspiration from past leaders.

According to him, “The spirit of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is here today, lifting that star higher and higher. Just as Ghana draws inspiration and a well of strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the close relationship between our two nations.”

President Tinubu, in the speech stated, inter alia: “It is always good when a friend and brother can visit the home of a close neighbour to celebrate his success and progress with him.

“We celebrate African democracy today as Ghana and her beloved people mark the transition from one democratic government to another. This moment does more than symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society. It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. 

“Ghana has answered that question resoundingly. It is time that Africa’s critics stop forgetting the strides your nation, Nigeria and others have made by continuing to ask us to prove ourselves. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have found the critical path to our success. We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace.

“Today, I am here not only as the President of Nigeria but also as an African in resolute support for Ghana and her people. This moment is a source of pride and honour for you, the entire continent and its Diaspora.

“The sun is out, and the sky says daylight, but I see today a black star rising high in the African sky. This black star shines over this nation, and its rays spread across this continent with a sense of shared history, hope, compassion, unity and devotion to our common welfare.

“While others may seek to demean Africa and keep brother pitted against brother, that shining star reminds us of who we are. Better yet, it reminds us of who we can be. That star means that we shall always strive to work together. Even when we disagree, we shall dialogue and discuss until we reach an agreement. Never, never shall we harm others and never allow any outsider to hurt us or disrupt the unity for which so many of our heroes gave their sweat, blood and very lives to achieve.

“The spirit of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is here today, lifting that star higher and higher. Just as Ghana draws inspiration and a well of strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the close relationship between our two nations.

“May we always walk in the way and the spirit of these enlightened leaders.

“Ghana is in harmony with that spirit, and President John Mahama’s inauguration today reflects that.

“Your new president is a man of patriotic vision and substance. He loves his nation and its people to the core. He believes that your nation has a mission and intends for you all to fulfil it. No one can ask more of a leader than that.

“President John Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken.

“May your administration be a profound success and progress for you, Ghanaians, and our entire region.

“I am confident that the new government, under the leadership of President John Mahama, will work with Nigeria to strengthen this powerful bond, leading to greater shared prosperity for our people. I have no doubt that your administration will bring about positive change and progress.

“Your ascension to power should also mark a new and invigorated momentum in pursuing subregional integration and progress. With laser focus, we can tackle our people’s most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress.

“May Ghana’s democracy continue to grow stronger. May progress and prosperity be your portion. Let us all look forward to a future filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity.

“God bless Ghana and its Beloved People.

“God bless Nigeria and its Beloved People.

“God bless ECOWAS.

“God bless our Beloved Africa.”