Vanguard / Nigeria: The election of Donald Trump provides an opportunity for Nigeria to engage the U.S. positively for the benefit of the two nations. A former presidential candidate, Chief Martin Onovo, gave the advice in Lagos on Wednesday while reacting to the election of Trump as the 45th President of the U.S.
Onovo, who was the flag bearer of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 presidential election, spoke in an interview with newsmen.
“President Muhammadu Buhari should congratulate Donald Trump as loudly as he can because Trump is now the president-elect of the largest economy and the strongest military power in the world.
“We must first congratulate him, then, we make our plans in line with our purpose. There are things we need from America and there are things America needs from us.
Onovo noted that Trump’s election provided an opportunity for Nigeria to exchange what it had for what it could gain from the U.S.
“Technologically, America is superior, especially in the use of military equipment. We should keep a good relationship to gain as much benefits as we can through bilateral relationship.
“It is a symbiotic relationship,’’ he stated. Onovo said that he was happy that the Republican Party defeated the Democratic Party in the landmark election on Nov. 8.
He described Trump’s election as “victory for the silent majority over the loud minority’’.
The politician recalled that the out-going Democratic Party Government in the U.S. failed to sell military equipment to Nigeria to fight insurgency – during Nigeria’s greatest hour of need, when Boko Haram was killing thousands of Nigerians.
Onovo argued that it would be inappropriate for Nigerians to forget such developments, no matter their feelings on the election of Trump.
Meanwhile, some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have said that Trump’s victory showed that the will of the people had prevailed over popular predictions.
Mr David Setonji, Chairman of the House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development said:
“This is democracy – the will of the people has prevailed.
“We thought Clinton would win but the American’s believed that Trump will serve them better. I only pray that all he said about the non-citizens will not be implemented because America is a great country which the world looks up to. Mr Jude Idimogu (PDP-Oshodi/I solo) expressed joy at Trump’s victory.
“I am happy because when a particular party has dominated for at least eight years, chance needs to be given to another party. “I love Trump for his boldness, courage and straightforwardness,’’ he said. Contrary to the expectation of many Nigerians, Trump of the Republican Party defeated Hilary Clinton of the Democratic Party in the U.S presidential election.
