By Juliet Aliwo.
In a recent interview Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, a prominent political scientist, urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to steer clear of confrontations with newly sworn-in U.S. President Donald Trump. Akinyemi expressed concern over Trump’s aggressive approach to international relations, suggesting that antagonizing the U.S. leader could lead to unnecessary challenges for Nigeria.
“If I were President Tinubu, I would try to avoid antagonizing him,” Akinyemi stated on Channels Television’s Politics Today program. “A bully thrives on taking on those who are not strong enough to resist. The African proverb holds true: if you are not strong enough to confront a bully, doing so will only bring more suffering.”
Akinyemi criticized Trump’s inaugural speech as “uninspiring, shocking, and depressing,” noting that instead of uniting the world for peace, Trump issued threats through a series of aggressive policies. These included plans to reclaim the Panama Canal, rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and initiate tariff wars.
The former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs cautioned that Trump would soon realize the repercussions of his jingoistic policies, predicting a tumultuous four years ahead. He also emphasized that Nigeria should not expect significant attention or support from the Trump administration.
Trump was inaugurated on Monday, marking his return to the presidency after a four-year hiatus following a defeat by Joe Biden. Unlike his first term, Trump is now surrounded by influential figures from the business world, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai.
In a notable shift from tradition, Biden attended the inauguration alongside former presidents and first ladies, contrasting Trump’s absence during Biden’s own inauguration in 2021.
