Ogbeh, Dan-Ali express mix reactions on Trump’s victory

• Any intimidation will necessitate Nigeria’s foreign policy review – Ogbeh

The victory of Donald Trump as President elect of the United States on Wednesday elicited sharp reactions from some ministers in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet.

Among those who held opposing views included the Ministers of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, and Defence – Mansur Dan-Ali.

Ogbeh in his reaction expressed shock by Trump’s victory and described him as a capitalist that exploited the American system and turned around to destroy it.

Dan-Ali maintained that Nigeria had to accept Trump victory and forge ahead.

The Agriculture minister said that any attempt to put Nigerians in diaspora under pressure during Trump’s administration may necessitate a review of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

He said: “I am in a bit of shock, but we are witnessing some very dramatic changes in the world and I think some of these things began many years ago. The current economic theory ravaging the world is now reaching the poor and the ordinary people. It is causing a lot of stress. Brexit happened, America has done this now.

“Many other countries are going to have near extremism ruling the minds of people.

“Trump’s language before the elections definitely did not endear him to the people. It scared a lot of people and yet he got this massive support which means there is something fundamentally wrong and some of us have been complaining even here for 30 years.

“The economic theories we are practising are hurting too many people and so there is a lot of anger and people are looking for a way to express it.

“In this country for instance, interest rate has remained averagely at 25 to 35 percent for 30 years. It is impossible for young people to dream dreams and achieve them. The rural areas are emptying, hunger is increasing. Only a small number of people have access to wealth. The rest are complaining but nobody is listening. That’s what has happened.

“Because, even though America is a powerful country, the wealth is in the hands of the people in the stock exchange and the big business people, the ordinary people have a rough time. Even the black people didn’t turn out to vote, they’ve lost hope. So, that’s the result.

“So, it means we have to reverse our economic thinking. If you can’t take a loan, you have no mortgage, you can’t feed your wife, your salary can’t pay school fees, you can’t even plan for tomorrow, what kind of life are you living in the country? That is what you are seeing now.

“Trump himself is one of those capitalists who have managed to exploit the system but have now turned around to bring down that system. I do hope that he can manage the US without falling into the trap he thinks he has freed the others from.

“Because eventually when he gets to Washington and begins to feel the pressure of the White House, he may not be as calm as he was this morning when he was accepting the victory, I can assure you. Those jobs exert a lot of pressure.

“The rest of the world will have to then carefully watch and see the impact first. He made comments about Nigerians when he was campaigning that they had stolen money, they should go back to their country and live.

“He has a very low opinion of the blacks and Hispanics. We hope he will become a president now for all, including Nigerians and others resident in the US. But if he doesn’t, it means we will have to retune and retool our foreign policy to begin to find a situation where we may have to be welcoming some of our people if they come under extreme pressure. We hope it doesn’t happen”. He stated

But Dan-Ali on his part said he was optimistic that Trump’s presidency would strengthen collaboration with Nigeria especially on security.

He said: “Security-wise, as always, we will always collaborate with external forces where we can get peace and tranquility in our country. As I said, I advise Nigerians to accept it and then forge ahead. Look ahead and bring about a synergy so that things can move forward.
“Like I always say, insurgency is a global phenomenon whether you like it or not, he must also put his efforts because it is not Nigeria alone that is suffering. You can find insurgency today here in Nigeria, next tomorrow it could in America or Europe or anywhere in the world. So, it’s a global problem which the entire nation must come together and fight it together”. He said.