The American elections and recent developments

BY ODUNAYO OMOLE

Joseph R. Biden just got elected as the 46th President of the United States of America. What a nail biting experience having to wait for the declaration of the 46th President after an election with voting that was completed on Tuesday but a President elect didn’t clearly emerge until 4days later.

I have heard many Nigerians ask what’s the fuss and excitement in an American election. I recognise that we in Nigeria have a whole myriad of issues that bother our daily survival and future but I always felt emotions often deny us the opportunity of carrying out a proper consequence management analysis of local and world issues. Also, we are always quick to be dismissive in this part of the world whenever teachable moments such as this present themselves.

I have watched the Trump Presidency from its campaign in 2016 through assumption of office as the 45th President of the United States in 2017 and up till date. It has been a challenge personally witnessing how a man, who obviously is a Bully and sympathetic to Racism, could lead the Free world United States. The relationship between Trump and the old American Allies even closest neighbours like Canada was troubling. He rolled back most deals Obama achieved saying they were his campaign promises and he had to keep them. He was nasty to women who opposed his views and used denigrating words to describe anyone who falls out of favour with him.

However, Trump had active enablers in government and outside government and these individuals fed his ego and encouraged him to carry on. They argue that “Toning” is immaterial but actions speak louder. They forgot that whereas everyone can say anything under their rights in America and get away with it, the American President’s words over the years have built and encouraged people even beyond the United States.

Whilst it would be disingenuous to take away any positives from the Donald J Trump presidency, it was clear that it also created largely more rancorous issues within but also outside America.

For Nigeria, I will be straight out thankful to the Trump Presidency for graciously suspending, waiving albeit ignoring the Almighty “Leahy Law” which was invoked during the 8 years Obama presidency from selling Ammunitions & weapons to the Nigerian government based on their perception of human rights abuse by the Nigerian government over the years. It is on record that the Trump administration — within one year of office — was approached by the Buhari administration to sell Hardwares, Weapons & Ammunitions to combat the rising Insurgency in the North East Nigeria and a deal was sealed, leading to sale of 12 units A-29 Super Tucano fighter jets which have been manufactured and are currently scheduled to arrive Nigeria from Embraer Defence & Security and Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) later this year 2020 from the United States.

Apart from the huge contributions of Nigerians in Diaspora to the country’s GDP, an average Nigeria family has a high probability of having a member living and working in the United States

Trump rules with a mantra “America First” But America’s strength and respect across the world over the years did not happen with such mantra. Rather, it was about always reaching out to the rest of the world actively to build and most times restore hope.

Take the Corona Virus outbreak! It was the selfish and unbelievable that America chose to ignore the trends coming out of Wuhan talk less of helping China contain and curtail the outbreak at that time in particular. We have later heard that even the American Intelligence reviews regarding the outbreak becoming a Pandemic was ignored.

The consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic eventually on Nigerians and Nigeria cannot be over emphasised. COVID-19 has gone beyond a medical challenge but an economic albatross and now a mental health issue to an unprepared Nigeria.

With a different person in the White House deploying American might to support China at the appropriate time in the beginning of the outbreak, the outcome today may have been different.

Also watching Trump address burning societal issues in the US such as the Black Lives Matter and the Charlottesville protests were unbecoming of the Leader of the “Free World”.

When Joe Biden threw his hat into the race, many felt he was not the proper fit to challenge a Donald Trump. Over time, we all came to realise that by Joe remaining Joe, Trump was always ruffled and visibly shaken. It has now proven to be the best Chess move by the DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

As a parent and someone who speaks to young teenagers — male and female — in Character building, values which include how to stand up to bullies, it has been difficult watching Trump daily on TV doing the exact opposite of the values we try to impact on these young ones.

So with Biden, we saw a Polar opposite of Trump and it was a relief. He was a decent person and his statements were usually a breath of fresh air. Throughout the campaign, his comments were very measured and appropriately toned.

In the days ahead, we shall see how much the reset button Mr Biden will push effective today will affect and restore confidence in America and heal the rest of the world.

Just like the famous Peter Parker quote in the Marvel Comic series Spiderman, it is my hope that the President elect will recognise and appreciate the message which says “With great power there must also come great responsibility”, or simply “With great power comes great responsibility”

Odunayo Omole writes from Lagos, Nigeria. You can reach him via [email protected]