The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President

  • Obama cautions Trump: ‘There’s only 1 U.S. President at a time’

    Obama cautions Trump: ‘There’s only 1 U.S. President at a time’

    Outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama has told incoming President Donald Trump to accept the fact that there is only one U.S. President at a time.

    Obama also told the president-elect that he remains the U.S. President till Jan. 20, 2017, when he would complete his two-term presidency of the U.S. and handover to Trump.

    The Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obama’s remarks followed what the White House termed as Trump’s undue interference in U.S. policies since his election.

    NAN also reports that the president-elect had on Thursday, directed the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Ms Samantha Power, to veto the Security Council’s Resolution on Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory.

    However, the Obama’s administration disregarded Trump’s directive and had gone ahead to abstain from voting on the resolution when it finally came up on Friday, drawing criticisms from the president-elect and his team.

    The White House, in a response by Obama’s Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, Mr Ben Rhodes, obtained by NAN, said the UN Security Council’s Resolution was a policy issue that Trump should not meddle in.

    “On the President-elect, the first thing I’d just say is that there’s one President at a time.

    “President Obama is the President of the United States until January 20th, and we are taking this action (abstention), of course, as U.S. policy,” he said.

    Rhodes explained that there was no any communication between the White House and the President-elect or his staff between when Obama made his decision and when the vote took place.

    “So I’m not aware that President Obama and the President-elect spoke about this, but again, I’m not — President Obama definitely made no reference to that, so I can’t confirm that this hasn’t come up at all, but I’m not aware of any particular conversation they had about this.

    “We did hear from the President-elect’s team. Again, our position has been there’s one President at a time.

    “We’re going to make our decision on this and, frankly, believe that it’s important that there’s a principle here that the world understands who is speaking on behalf of the United States until January 20th and who is speaking on behalf of the United States after January 20th.

    “And look, the new team will have every opportunity after January 20th to pursue their own policies, to take different approaches.

    “I’m certain that they will on any number of issues.

    “We’re just reflecting the simple principle that I think has guided the President-elect transitions historically.

    “Which is that there is one President at a time and we’re going to execute our duties until the new team is in place and the new President is inaugurated,” the Obama’s aide said.

    NAN recalls that following the pressure that Trump reportedly put on Egypt, the sponsor of the resolution, Egypt withdrew it on Thursday and the vote was consequently delayed till Friday.

    However, the resolution was put forward on Friday by Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela and the 15-member Council adopted the resolution by a vote of 14 in favour and with one abstention – the U.S., which abstained from voting rather than veto the resolution. (NAN)

  • As the President clocks 74

    SIR: President Muhammadu Buhari clocks 74 tomorrow December 17. So far, he has not disappointed those who have genuine interests in his ability to lead this nation out of its predicament. He has lived up to expectation as far as his campaign promises are concerned. Buhari promised war against corruption, insurgency and all forms of criminality amongst other lofty promises. The president believed if the polity is free of corruption, lives and property of the citizens are secured, there will be economic prosperity, political stability and there will be more resources to develop the nation. Thus far, the administration’s war against insurgency particularly, Boko Haram menace is progressing successfully. Pockets of resistance put up by the deadly sect are insignificant compared with the period before Buhari. Also, war against corrupt practices is ongoing and many who have soiled their hands irrespective of status, ethnicity or religion are cooling their heads at the EFCC gulag. Although, skeptics opine that the present administrations war against corruption is selective and that only members of opposition are being prosecuted for corruption, the fact is that none of those being probed is accused wrongly, the fact that the president has taken the bull by the horn is commendable.

    It is obvious that Nigerians are groaning under the economic recession in the land. Nonetheless, the recession is not caused by the present administration but a carry-over from the previous administration, fall in the price of crude oil in international market and the nefarious activities of the Niger Delta Avengers whose stock in trade is to attack oil facilities.

    As a president who is passionate about the welfare of Nigerians, we implore him to bring the recession under control. Skyrocketing prices of goods and services are having telling effects on the people. Non-payment of workers salary by many state governments is another sore point for which the present administration cannot be blamed for because the President has been magnanimous in bailing out these bankrupt states with huge sums to pay the arrears of salary and emolument. The fact is that these states have to be monitored to make sure that the money is not misappropriated.

    • Adewuyi Adegbite

    ayekooto@yahoo.com

  • Is America ready for a woman president?

    In the context of gender equality, what would be the honest answer to this question: “Is America ready?” Erika Falk, who threw the poser, was perturbed by the failure of the most advanced democracy to lead by example in electing a woman president in its over 240 years of existence.

    At a time when the advocacy for gender equality has become a global mantra, especially in politics, education and leadership, the result of the November 8 Presidential Election of the United States (U.S.) has ignited global concerns about the true nature of Americans and their stand on equality which they gleefully preach.

    The results of the last U.S. election have probably shown that gender equality is only a concept being preached, but not practised by America. It tells us that the gender disparity in the U.S. politics may continue for as long as its political class realises there should be equality in the true sense of the word.

    Paradoxically, how America’s citizens find a woman unsuitable for the White House is, in no small way, a setback for the absolute realisation of gender equality in the world.

    Does American politics offer equal opportunities for both genders? I believe it does. There is a maximum level-playing ground for both genders to have equal opportunities. However, it would not be enough to take the above statement as a general yardstick to conclude that gender equality is possible in U.S., taking into account that no woman has delivered victory speech.

    Not even Senator Hillary Clinton whose campaign team had prepared a stage for that. By this, it may seem to say loudly that despite the balanced chance, the actual decision is not yet made.

    After Shirley Chisholm entered some primaries and had her name placed in nomination at the Democratic Party Convention in 1972, Mrs Clinton’s nomination brought the greatest momentum to the gender equality campaign. What an unprecedented feat for women. The entire world had to wake up from its bad dream that Hillary’s presidency would be the greatest thing America would teach the world.

    The gender stereotype, although beclouded by personal flaws of the former Secretary of State, ostensibly played out in the decision of the Electoral College that handed victory to Mr Donald Trump.

    Whatever the arguments, it will be difficult to address matters of gender equality in the dimension of electoral decisions. Sometimes, it is not a matter of gender but personality. Many people don’t trust Mrs Clinton. And the Trump’s slogan – Make America Great Again – really appealed to the emotions and sentiments of average Americans who are not happy by how globalisation has offered chances to immigrants at the expense of their jobs and revered supremacy.

    There were elements of gender inequality in U.S. presidential polls. Jeff Manza asserted that social scientists and political commentators have frequently pointed to differences between men and women in voting and policy attitudes as evident in the emerging gender gap in U.S. politics. That incontestable fact has become inimical norm in vote choice, opinion and party identification which have remained a common feature in the U.S. political hemisphere.

    From the foregoing, the expectation that a woman would gain marginally greater support from her own gender was amazingly undermined in the last election.

    According to Claire Zilman in an article published in Fortune Magazine titled: Hillary Clinton had the biggest voter gender gap on record, much of the coverage of Mrs Clinton’s loss in the presidential race pointed to the Democratic Party’s failure to dominate the women’s vote. While Clinton did capture majority of women voters (54 per cent), according to exit polling, she lost some key constituencies, including white women, 53 per cent of whom cast their ballots for Mr Trump.

    The media’s portray of women also contributed to Clinton’s loss. Although she had the support of the mainstream media establishment, but media projections of women during the time of the election did more harm than good.

    When the media, according to Maria Braden, implied that women are anomalies in high public office, the public is likely to regard them as that, rather than an integral part of government. Ms Braden gave instances of how American woman senators have been described by the media – “strangers in the Senate.”

    Other potent factors like sentiment and egocentric feelings of the male gender have perpetually been propelled and articulated by the media, and they remain potent straws that broke camel’s back.

    Despite its leadership and strong advocacy for gender equality, Andrew Soergel argued that America lags behind other countries in the West in terms of giving high-level positions to women. In a latest report and ranking by World Economic Forum, the true position of America in terms of gender equality is more relayed. Researchers have declared that America has a ways to go when it comes to parity between men and women, ranking it 45th out of 144 countries on the list.

    From all parameters, the honest answer to the question about America’s readiness to break the woman president jinx is still a case of the last straw, which we all await to break the camel’s back. As for now, there is little to show for the gender equality advocacy as championed by the most advanced democracy.

    Whenever the decision is made, America would be said to have eventually imbibed a culture successfully practised by other democracies, including countries in the so-called Third World.

     

    Shakir is a Master’s student of International Relations at Cyprus International University

     

  • Buhari to prevail on Gambian President to hand over power

    Buhari to prevail on Gambian President to hand over power

    Barring any last minute change, President Muhammadu Buhari ‎is scheduled to travel to The Gambia on Tuesday to intervene in the crisis brewing in the country.

    The incumbent President, Yahya Jammeh has rejected the results of the presidential election which he lost to his opponent.

    According to BBC reports, President Buhari will meet with Jammeh in order to prevail on him to hand over to the President-elect, Adama Barrow.

    The BBC reports also revealed that Buhari will be joined by other West Africa leaders to end the political stalemate over the result of the presidential election.

    Jammeh lost the just-concluded election in the country, and conceded the elections to Barrow, a real estate mogul who has never held a political office.

    “I’m calling you to wish you all the best, the Gambian people have spoken and I have no reason to contest the will of Almighty Allah,” Jammeh had said after the election.

    The December 1 vote saw Barrow polling 222,708 votes (43.3%), while Jammeh had 208,487 (39.6%).

    In a dramatic u-turn, Jammeh later rejected the election result, saying: “After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject the outcome of the recent election.

    “I lament serious and unacceptable abnormalities which have reportedly transpired during the electoral process. I recommend fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a god-fearing and independent electoral commission.”

    John Mahama, Ghanaian president who just lost and conceded in the West African country, will also join the African leaders in persuading Jammeh to relinquish power.

    The United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African Countries had all called on Jameh to relinquish power.

  • CCA gets first woman president

    Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), a United States (U.S) business association focused on U.S.-Africa trade and investment, has appointed Ms Florizelle (Florie) Liser, the US Assistant Trade Representative for Africa, as its next President/CEO.

    Ms. Liser was appointed by the CCA Board of Directors, following an international search. Her appointment will take effect from January 23, next year. She succeeds Stephen Hayes as the third  helmsman of the body.

    “We are thrilled that Florie Liser is the next President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa,” the Board Chair of CCA and President & CEO of Rabin Martin, Dr. Jeffrey L. Sturchio, said.

    Sturchio said Liser has experience in U.S.-Africa trade and investment policy, deep knowledge of Africa and an unparalleled network of relationships with leaders across sub- Saharan Africa, including heads of state, ministers and other key stakeholders in the U.S. Government, multilateral organisations, the business community, and civil society.

    “These strengths and her vision make Liser the perfect person to lead CCA into the future, building on the strong foundations laid by  Hayes and the team,” he said

    Liser brings her expertise and extensive network on trade and Africa to her new role, along with a strong track record of working with the private sector to translate policy into action. She will also be the first woman to lead the Council since its founding in 1993.

    “Twenty-first century Africa presents enormous opportunities for businesses looking to take advantage of growing markets across the continent,” Ms. Liser said, adding: “In my new leadership role at CCA, I look forward to building on CCA’s great work to date, and I’m committed to working with U.S. and African businesses and other stakeholders to grow opportunities and strengthen commercial relationships across Africa.”

    Ms. Liser will join CCA from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), where she has been Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa since 2003.  In that role, she has led trade and investment policy towards 49 sub-Saharan African nations and oversaw implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

    Prior to this role, Liser served as Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Industry, Market Access, and Telecommunications from 2000-2003. She has also served as Senior Trade Policy Advisor in the Office of International Transportation and Trade at the Department of Transportation from 1987-2000; worked as a Director in USTR’s Office of GATT Affairs, and also served as an Associate Fellow at the Overseas Development Council (ODC) from 1975-1980.

    CCA’s current President Stephen Hayes said, “I am honoured to be succeeded by such a person as Liser. It is difficult to imagine a more qualified person for this position, or one who has collaborated more closely with our three primary constituencies: the private sector, the U.S. Government and Africa itself.

    “She understands the CCA and has enormous empathy for Africa. She now has the opportunity to lead the private sector to greater engagement with the continent and help open America to African investment in this country. Her success will be America’s success.”

     

  • Human trafficking worst form of slavery, says president

    Human trafficking worst form of slavery, says president

    •NGE launches book on menace

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described human trafficking as one of the worst form of slavery known to humanity.
    He said it was unacceptable for traffickers to exploit the natural quest for employment and search for better economic opportunities by the youths in an increasingly complex and competitive world.
    The President spoke at the public presentation of the book, “Eight Evils of Human Trafficking”, authored by Steve Osuji, member of the Editorial Board of The Nation and Boniface Opute.
    Represented by the Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development Senator Aisha Alhassan, he said all hands must be on deck to arrest the plague for the country’s growth.
    Buhari expressed concern about issues that violate the rights and dignities of the citizenry and hailed efforts made by organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to compliment government’s efforts in tackling such violations.
    He said: “Human trafficking is one of the worst forms of slavery experienced in the 21st century and all hands must be on deck to unveil and totally arrest this plague for growth and development.
    “It is totally unacceptable for traffickers to exploit the natural quest for employment search for better economic opportunities by the youth, especially young girls, in an increasingly complex and competitive world.
    “Riding on the ignorance, insecurity, poor livelihood options, spirit of adventure, nativity, lack of education and skills of victims, traffickers lure unsuspecting citizens into slave-like existence, shattering their dream of a better life. Such criminal activities must be exposed and dealt with so that the rights and dignity of our people can be better protected.
    “I believe that the ‘Eight Evils of Human Trafficking’ will help to throw additional light on the style and techniques used by traffickers. This will help to create greater awareness among the populace and I believe that the Guild of Editors will help to circulate the ills and dangers of trafficking.
    “On our part, government has taken several steps to deal with the challenges of this modern form of slavery, especially as thousands of Nigerians, mostly women and girls are trafficked annually.”
    The president added that the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons was established to address the problem.
    Presenting the book, Rivers State Governor Nyeson Wike described human trafficking as one of the greatest social vices impacting negatively on the lives of citizens in Nigeria.
    He hailed the Nigeria Guild of Editors for taking the bold initiative to fight against human trafficking.
    Represented by his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, Wike said human trafficking was a disgusting and despicable human act targeted at the poor and vulnerable in the society.
    “For us in Rivers State, security and ending all forms of criminality is the bedrock of our administration. Within few months of being sworn in, we have given assent to the Anti-kidnapping Bill.
    “The most significant aspect of this law is the introduction of stiffer penalty, including the forfeiture of assets or profits derived either directly or indirectly from kidnap operation,” he said.
    Former Anambra State Governor and chairman of the occasion Peter Obi described human trafficking as the modern slavery, adding that many people might not know or understand the evil of human trafficking globally.
    He said: “While slavery has been abolished, it now comes in form of human trafficking which is illegal trade in human beings, which we all know deprive them of their human right, using them for cheap labour and prostitution. It is actually believed to be the third biggest form of criminality in the world today. People are making billions from it.”
    Nigeria Guild of Editor President Funke Egbemode said parents and the society were culpable in the evil of human trafficking.
    She said the neglect of human, natural and traditional values have conspired to give the nation a bad name over trafficking.

  • NIMN elects new president

    The former Senior Strategy Manager at Nigerian Breweries Plc, Tony Agenmonmen, has been elected president of the National Institute of Marketing Nigeria (NIMN).

    He emerged after his opponent, Dr Rotimi Olaniyan, president of Experiential Marketing Association of Nigeria, withdrew minutes to the commencement of voting.

    Olaniyan shocked members of the institute when he took over the microphone to declare that he was dropping out from the election, leaving Agenmonmen as the sole candidate for the post of the Presidency.

    Agenmonmen, who is a veteran of 32 years in the marketing profession and an author, has promised that he was going to ensure that the institute drives professionalism and ensures that there are qualified marketers available to work on brands.

    The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) is the body charged with the responsibility of regulating the marketing profession in Nigeria.  This includes the authority to determine who are marketers and the standards of knowledge and skills to be obtained by persons seeking to become members of the marketing profession.

  • We’re working towards private sector-driven economy, says President

    We’re working towards private sector-driven economy, says President

    The Presidential Enabling Business Council, approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, will work in with a private sector-led Enabling Business Environment Secretariat (EBES) to develop action plan for the implementation of reforms in the nation’s business environment.

    Buhari stated this in a message to the opening of the 37th Kano International Trade Fair, saying the Federal Government recognised the fact that the economy required a private sector-driven approach for sustainable growth.

    The President approved the Presidential Enabling Business Council, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to provide strategic direction and political will for reforms and action plans to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks and facilitate procedures for business and property registration, taxation, export and import documentation among others.

    “As a government, we are mindful of the fact that the kind of economic growth that Nigeria requires is one that is driven by the private sector, with the government acting only as an enabler and cheerleader; creating and implementing policy initiatives that would enable you – investors, traders, entrepreneurs, SMEs – to operate at maximum potential and create economic value, for yourselves, and for the people and government of Nigeria,” he emphasised.

    Represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, the President maintained that while his administration will attract foreign investment through a number of incentives, it was aware of substantial investible funds within the country, and will encourage such funds to be channelled into investment and enterprise.

    He reiterated that the government would restructure the economy away from dependence on oil and gas revenues to agriculture, oil minerals, manufacturing and Information and Communication Technology.

    Kano State Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Hafz Abubakar, hailed the Federal Government for working to create a favourable business climate in the country.

  • Poly students protest fees hike

    Poly students protest fees hike

    The Students of Akwa Ibom Polytechnic on Monday protested against the 100 per cent increment of fees by the school’s authority.

    The Students Union Government’s (SUG), President, Kingsley Eyo, told newsmen at Ikot Osurua in Ikot Ekpene on Monday that the students were not consulted before the increment.

    He added that the students were not comfortable with the Rector, Dr Israel Afia’s style of administration, demanding his removal by the State Government.

    Eyo said students wondered why the school’s management would choose to bring new fees regime in this period of economic recession.

    “The Pre-ND students that were paying N37, 000 are now to pay N69, 200 and ND-1 that were paying 45, 000 are now to pay N76, 200.

    “ND-2 students are now to pay N65, 500 as against N38, 000; HND-1 will have to pay N85, 700 as against N47, 500.

    “HND-2 students are now to pay N82, 700 as against N40, 700 that they were paying before,” Eyo said.

    The students also complained that management had not been publishing their semester results regularly.

    He alleged that the first semester results of ND had always been delayed to the final semester of ND-2.

    The student union government president also accused the registrar of being insensitive to the students’ plight.

    Eyo said when the union approached him for dialogue; he retorted that education was not for the poor.

    Eyo threatened that the students would go on violent riot if the school authority refused to reduce the school fees.

    Eyo said the management had also hijacked the running of Mami Market from SUG control.

    “Mami Market used to be controlled by the students, the management hijacked it. The levies from the market were usually paid to the student union government.

    “We had a meeting with them that since they are collecting the money from the Mami traders, they should give us some percentage.

    “We needed the money to repair the bus and some other things.

    “Even the park, there are some buses that are operating on the school campus, they hijacked the running of the park from us”, he said.

    Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Israel Afia said in a text message that he was in a meeting and would not speak to the press today.

    He said, “Not today, please. I am in a meeting somewhere. Let’s talk later.”

  • Enter President Trump

    Enter President Trump

    After their most divisive campaigns ever, Americans went to the polls Tuesday. They chose controversial businessman Donald Trump as their president.

    The new president has his job well cut out for him. The battle is over; the war lies ahead. The main headache is how to unify a country torn apart by xenophobia, its cherished values desecrated.

    Trump knew what the majority of American voters wanted. He gave them a song: “We will make America great again”. Many were sold out to the sentiment. They plunged headlong into the emotion. Reason was thrown out of the window. Ah; the limits of intellect.

    Suddenly, experience, an age-long asset, became a liability  that had lost its weight on the scale of credibility. Morality lost its place. Many felt the race was over, with all the salacious expose on Trump’s denigration of womanhood – he joked about grabbing women’s bodies. Besides, some women went public with how the Republican candidate harassed them sexually.

    TV reality show contestant Summer Zervos cited a 2007 incident. She claimed that Trump kissed her , touched her breast and tried to get her to lie down with him on a bed during a job hunt. “He put me in an embrace and I tried to push him away. I pushed his chest to put space between us and I said, ‘Come on man, get real’. He repeated my words back to me, ‘Get real’, as he began thrusting his genitals,” Zervos said.

    She was in tears. Beside her was celebrity attorney Gloria Allred at a Los Angeles press conference. “I wondered if the sexual behavior was some kind of test and whether or not I had passed,” she said.

    Trump denied it all. He said he could vaguely remember Zervos as one of the contestants on “The Apprentice” over the years.

    The Washington Post published a video account of a woman who claimed that Trump put his hand under her skirt. To American voters, it was all bunkum. Not even the sudden appearance of a video with the candidate surrounded by some women dressed like strip dancers hugging him and he grabbing them excitedly below the waist could sway the die-hards. They said so with their votes.

    Before the election day, many had demonstrated that they would either sink or swim with Trump. At a rally in Cincinnati, Ohio, a woman wore a T-shirt with the inscription, “Trump can grab my… “ , with an arrow pointing to her crouch.

    Trump promised to build a wall to stop Mexicans crossing into the United States. Mexico, he said, will pay for the job. He never hid his disdain for Moslems and would send back home Africans as well as other immigrants.

    The bookmakers were right not to have given Trump much chance. It turned out that they were wrong. Damn wrong. But that is the beauty of democracy. The majority carried the day.

    I wonder the kind of greatness President Trump will bring back to his America in a delicate world that requires so much wisdom, political deftness and intellect. Racism? Empty machismo? Misogyny? The future seems to be so uncertain in the hands of a president who seems to be unprepared for this all-important job. America is likely to be isolated in a world that looks up to it for leadership. The business Trump has promised to protect is likely to suffer in the stifling environment. The stock markets were down immediately the news broke that Trump had won the election.

    Perhaps Clinton would have made it if there was no “official conspiracy” as seen in the FBI’s suspicious probe of her emails, an exercise that portrayed her as careless and unreliable. There was no problem with the probe, but the popular thinking was that the timing was wrong, thrown in when the polls showed that she was set to win. It was a blow below the belt.

    Some Americans launched a protest. They burnt the American flag and screamed: “He’s not our president.” Nigerians were laughing at them. They should have understudied the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), they said. There should have been an Elder Godsday Orubebe storming the hall to stop the announcement of the result of the election and screaming like a hungry hyena: “Jega, you have been compromised. We no longer have confidence in you!”.

    The election, said a cynical fellow who claimed to have followed it all, ought to have been declared “inconclusive” as soon as Trump won in Florida. A Clinton supporter should have rushed to court to obtain an injunction barring the authorities, their agents, officials, privies or whosoever has any business with the results to stop the announcement henceforth. Thereafter he would have proceeded to another court of competent jurisdiction to obtain a perpetual injunction stopping Trump from ever running again.

    Millions of Nigerians stayed up all-night, glued to their television sets. It was as if a Nigerian was on the ballot. They were eager to be part of history.

    Many were battling to draw a parallel between the American experience and the Nigerian situation. One would have said they were miles apart, but for Trump who dragged it all into the gutters. Even before the first ballot was cast, he had sworn that he would only accept the result on one condition – if he won. Besides, he alleged that there were plots to rig the election for his opponent.

    As the polls got underway, Trump went to court to challenge the extension of voting in Nevada. Too late, many said. In Nigeria, a serious candidate would not have waited for voting. He would have several weeks or months earlier rushed to court to stop his opponent for some inconsequential or perceived errors in the opposing party’s primary election.

    There were no incidents of ballot box stuffing or snatching. The lists of voters were not doctored. Besides, when computers malfunctioned in Utah, nobody cried that they were being manipulated. In Nigeria, that would have been a major issue. The other time when former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife could not be accredited early, PDP chiefs alleged that using the card reader was all part of a grand plan to rig the election. “How could the machine have malfunctioned when the first family were set to be accredited. Na wayo,” they cried.

    Some Nigerians were even grumbling that the American election was dull. One said:”What kind of election is this o? It is very boring. No Trump rice. No Clinton salt, no recharge card. No Ankara. No fish. People are just waiting on long queues; no ‘see and buy’ cash  and no ECOMOG. Na wa o.”

    Others were busy imagining what would have been on the minds of prominent Nigerian politicians if the stage had been here, with the news channels churning out the results. In the social media, there were flashbacks to the 2015 general elections. “As we speak now we are winning in 23 states and we have 64 per cent while the APC is winning in 14 states and has 36 per cent. The results are subject to confirmation… . However, we are certain of what we are saying because we have information from our agents in every polling unit nationwide. No one must test our will by attempting to change these results… .” That was the Jonathan Campaign spokesman Femi Fani-Kayode when it was as clear as the day that the PDP was losing the battle.

    There were suggestions about what some prominent Nigerians would have said. “All the bad things said about Trump were exaggerated” – Dr Goodluck Jonathan. “Trump is already winning. Rig this election and rig your life” – Nyesom Wike. “We will hold Buhari responsible if Trump fails” –Fayose. “I have no money to refund to Clinton. I have spent everything on publicity” – Raymond Dokpesi.

    Prof Wole Soyinka was said to have promised to tear his green card, should Trump win. That brought back memories of former President Olusegun Obasanjo who directed somebody to tear his PDP card publicly. “E bami ya welewele” (shred it well), he told the fellow as the small crowd of his supporters sang a dirge for the party. Will the Nobel laureate carry out his threat or listen to those who are saying he should never bother about this “American wonder”? He does not need to.

    Clinton has conceded defeat. She has congratulated Trump. She has praised her supporters, telling them all not to be discouraged and to see themselves as members of the American team. Obama also said Americans should not see themselves as Democrats or Republicans but Americans. That is the spirit.

    But the question remains: What kind of president will Trump be? May God bless-sorry, a slip-help America.