OPINION:
DEFINING THE 2016 AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN THE NIGERIAN MANNER
BY: ORIMOLOYE, Ifeoluwa

The build-up to the US presidential election is characterized by reactions from places all over the world, particularly among opinion leaders, and of course Nigeria is not left out in this worldwide appraisal and analysis of the forthcoming US presidential election. It is most interesting to give some credence to the opinion from Africa and especially Nigeria, because Nigeria, just like the Islamic religion have been the subject of discuss in Donald Trump’s speeches. At this point, it will be recalled that Donald Trump is the Republican Party’s Candidate for the forth-coming United States Presidential election. Although, it is significant to point out that many in Nigeria views his (Trump’s) opinion on the situation of the country, with so much regard (you may call it credibility) judging especially from what is obtainable in the country. For instance, his persistent views about Nigeria has left some impression on Nigerians suggesting that Trump has a high credibility, integrity, discipline, and that he is straight forward. Some have indeed cross-referenced these attributes of Trump to some allegations making the rounds labelling Hillary as being corrupt. Some in fact have reasons to crucify Hillary over the Iraqi war and her supposed complicity in the war.
Therefore, to these set of people, this complicity indicates that Trump is of high integrity as compared to Hillary. Consequently, it is a popular notion (among these set of opinion leaders) that Trump’s attribute will only be relevant in taking the United States to the next level, with respect to the fight against Islamic terror and the final resolve on the issue of same-sex marriage which has sparked a lot of outrage here in Nigeria. These people who can be described as the fan of the Republican candidate are disposed to the allegation that a particular media outlet has been contracted to tarnish Trump’s image, by negating Trump’s bid and portraying him as irrelevant. Whereas, that Media Outlet is the preferred and most desired media outlet for most Nigerians. This, they believe, has pitched Nigerian’s interest against Trump.
Meanwhile, another school of thought share the sentiment of an “alternate-mechanism” of governance which depicts that after eight terms of governance, it is now the turn of the Republican to rule the United States, and not another democrat (for Obama, the incumbent President of the US is of the democrat). These set of people may not necessarily be a fan of Trump, but in equality, as it relates to governance. They are supporters of some rules that inadvertently favors Donald Trump.
On the other hand, to some individuals, Hillary is winning because she seem to have had the competence which, according to opinion leaders stems up from her antecedents as the pillar behind the former president of the United states, Bill Clinton -as the first lady; Coupled with her roles as the former Secretary of state to the United states, a role which she was said to have performed diligently. However, a cross-section of Nigerians share the sentiments that Hillary, as a female, should be elected as the President of the United States in fulfillment of the rules of gender equality. That is, the world is gradually becoming more gender sensitive, and as such women should be brought into the scheme of events, considering the clamor that the rights of women be respected. They believe that Hillary’s emergence would simply speak volume with respect to gender equality, and would “change things” as it were.
In retrospect, some Nigerian fans of Hillary believes that if Trump’s speeches is anything to go by, Hillary would be more of a dependable ally to deal with than Trump. This also corresponds with their thought about the way she “engaged” Nigeria during “her days” as the secretary of state.
However, many are predisposed to the fact that the Democrats and indeed the United States are quite committed to making history in quick succession, by securing the emergence of Hillary as the first female president of the United States, having produced the first black president. This, they believe will correspond to the recent emergence of a second female Prime Minister in the United Kingdom.
If my opinion is sought, I will rather choose to expand the “fan base” of the realists, by watching while event unfolds.

ORIMOLOYE, Ifeoluwa writes from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

Too long to read. lemme comment n modify later after reading. FTC on point. Don't tell anybody o. I became a full fledgled nairalander today.

bullseye

bullseye90:
Too long to read. lemme comment n modify later after reading. FTC on point. Don't tell anybody o. I became a full fledgled nairalander today.

bullseye

About 750 words long,,,
Dasol!