KEY POINTS
- However, Nigerian – Americans are sounding optimistic that Trump’s victory will improve U.S. – Nigeria relations.
- Democrat Ehiozuwa Agbonayinmma says the current Republican administration has been supportive of Nigeria’s government.
- Nigeria criticizes Democrats for lack of engagement, hopes for change.
Nigerian Americans who have congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory have said the president’s second term will ice the relationship between Nigeria and the US.
Former U.S. House Representative Hon Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinmma, known as EJ also supported the initiative. He had earlier pointed out that Republican presidents have been more interested in affairs in Nigeria than Democratic leaders.
Confidence in Trump’s approach to Nigeria
Despite being a Democrat, Agbonayinmma praised Trump for his previous decision to support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, unlike former President Obama who refused to sell arms to Nigeria at the time of the Boko Haram crisis.
” Donald J. Trump is going to do far better than what people expect from our sister Kamala Harris,” said Agbonayinmma claiming his endorsement is because of his conservative views and his faith in the way Trump sees things.
Agbonayinmma, however, lamented the Democratic Party’s absence of a pronounced engagement with Nigeria, especially as she reminded that President Joe Biden, who is in charge has not come to Nigeria.
Many Nigerian Americans had voted for Obama’s presidency, believing that it would pave the way to a stronger partnership, but Obama hadn’t supported these people on some key issues that are affecting Nigeria, he said.
Kicking back against Nigeria
Nigerian-Americans deserve respect and recognition from U.S. leadership, Agbonayinmma said. According to Agbonayinma he hoped Trump’s presidency would focus on Nigeria’s interests, the community’s wish for stronger bilateral relations.
