Trump win evokes fear

Shock swept through the world yesterday after the unexpected election of Republican Donald Trump as United States’ 45th President.

Bolaji Akinyemi, a professor of political science, described Mr. Trump’s victory as a worrisome development and “a victory of the ugly side of the U.S.”

Prof.  Akinyemi, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, said global predictions of the Democratic candidate, Hilary Clinton’s victory was cut short by Trump’s win.

“It brings uncertainty into international politics because the world now has to deal with a man who is inexperienced, does not understand the complexities of international politics and has no respect for anyone who is not white or American; I think that is dangerous.

“There has always been an ugly side to the U.S. just as there is with every country in the world but the good side in the U.S. has always prevailed so that in tackling American problems, the interests of the U.S. are not defined in antagonism to the interest of the whole world.

He added that that it would be difficult to predict Mr. Trump’s policies toward Nigerians or Africans in the Diaspora and the continent itself

A former Nigerian ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Dapo Fafowora said Trump’s victory was a lesson to Nigerians and Africans to remain in and contribute to the development of their countries.

“There is nothing in his background to suggest he has any durable interest in Africa.

“I think it is a lesson for Nigerians; people should stay here and make contributions in developing our country.

“When people go abroad, they contribute to these foreign countries; one must agree that conditions are difficult but if Nigerians abroad work half as hard as they do abroad in Nigeria, we will be a better country.

“I think it is a good development for Africa that we should look inwards and try to develop ourselves without relying on any major economic power.”

Nigeria’s former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, advised the leadership of Nigeria and Africa to promote policies in the interest of the citizens.

He said such interests would encourage development and reduce the flow of African citizens to western countries.

“As Africans, we have survived slavery, colonialism, apartheid; I think the strength of the African people will enable us to survive any negative consequences arising from this results.

“The important thing is for the leadership of our continent to put the people ahead of anything else and if the link between the people and the leadership is strong, then we will survive the decision by the Americans to elect Donald.”

The don expressed optimism that U.S. laws and institutions would protect Nigerians and Africans in the U.S., stressing, however, that “clearly, we should be prepared.

“The Africans in the Diaspora are the sixth region in Africa as being decided by the African Union so we have to be supportive and look out for them.”

According to a survey of people across the world by the NBC, the Trump Presidency is evoking fear.

From Rome, Italy on hearing that Trump had won, Alessio Renda, a 25-year-old music student, was incredulous. “Seriously? It’s impossible. Oh my god. It’s really strange, that’s my first reaction.”

Anna Maria Fagetin, a 35-year-old lawyer, reflected on Trump’s pledge to bring his business acumen to the White House — and drew parallels with Italian tycoon and ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

“Berlusconi said the same thing when he ran in Italy … that he would run Italy like he would run his companies,” she said. “The companies were successful, but Italy was not. So, what advice can I give to the Americans? Good luck.”

Michele Angelini, a 24-year-old student in Rome, said that the first thing that came to his mind when he learned the news was that he would “have to create a nuclear shelter in the basement.”

His second thought was: “Well, now [Americans] have Berlusconi, too.”