The ruling party, APC are buzzing with excitement as the country prepares for the swearing-in ceremony of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, amidst all the excitement, there seems to be a negative reaction among Nigerians to the delegation announced by President Joe Biden to attend the ceremony.
Many Nigerians are questioning why Biden would send a delegation to attend the swearing-in of Tinubu, who is a controversial figure in Nigerian politics during the last flawed presidential election in the history of Nigerian politics. This has sparked heated debates and discussions across the country with different hashtag #Bidenstayathome.
The negative reaction to Biden’s delegation to Tinubu’s swearing-in is mainly due to concerns about Tinubu’s political track record, INEC manipulation, intimidation and racial profiling of 2023 election.
Most Nigerians believe that Tinubu is not fit to lead the country due to his alleged involvement in corrupt practices and his questionable political tactics. As such, they see the involvement of an international figure like Biden as an endorsement of Tinubu’s candidacy, which they find unacceptable.
Furthermore, many Nigerians argue that Biden’s delegation is an interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs since he has remain silent in the killings and manipulation of election results in Nigeria which is seen as a threat to democracy.
They believe that it is not appropriate for an international leader to remain silent in a fraudulent election yet preached to be a leader of a free world. This has led to widespread criticism of both Biden and Tinubu, with many people feeling that their actions are undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Despite the negative reaction from some Nigerians, there are those who view Biden’s delegation as a positive development. They argue that it shows the international community’s interest in Nigerian politics and their desire to support democracy in the country. These individuals believe that Biden’s involvement will help to ensure a free and fair election and promote transparency in the political process.
The negative reaction to Biden’s delegation at Tinubu’s swearing-in is reflective of the deep-seated concerns and tensions within Nigerian politics. While some see it as an interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, others view it as a positive development that will help to promote democracy in the country.
Regardless of one’s stance on the matter, it is clear that the upcoming election will be a critical moment for Nigeria, and the world will be watching closely.
Why Nigerians are reacting to Biden’s delegation
The news of Biden’s delegation attending Tinubu’s swearing-in ceremony has sparked a range of reactions from Nigerians. Some have welcomed the move as a sign of the US’s continued interest in Nigeria’s political development and a validation of Tinubu’s leadership qualities and a boost to his chances of becoming President in 2023.
Many Nigerians are concerned about the implications of Biden’s delegation to Tinubu’s swearing-in ceremony. Some are worried that the US may be getting involved in Nigeria’s politics, which could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s democracy and sovereignty.
The reaction to Biden’s delegation has been mixed, with some politicians and political analysts expressing reservations about the US meddling in Nigeria’s politics. However, supporters of the president elect sees it as a positive development that could help to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and promote good governance. They see it as an opportunity for Nigeria to improve its relations with the US and attract foreign investment, which could help to boost the country’s economy and create more jobs.
But most Nigerians sees it as a violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty and a sign of the US’s neo-colonial ambitions in Africa. There is already a call for all Nigerian-Americans to vote against President Biden 2024 bid to white house because of his support to the political charade and flawed election process in Nigeria.
The US-Nigeria relationship
The US-Nigeria relationship is a complex one, with a long history of cooperation and conflict, with some skeptics who expressed concerns about the implications of president Biden delegation visit.
Some worried that it could be seen as an endorsement of Tinubu, who is a controversial figure in Nigerian politics. Others pointed out that there are still significant challenges facing Nigeria, including corruption, security threats, and human rights abuses that America has remain silenced.
However, overall, the reaction has been overwhelmingly troublesome, with people eager to see what kind of progress can be made through increased cooperation, engagement and outcome of the presidential election tribunal.
Nigeria, in turn, has accused the US of meddling in its internal affairs and of being biased towards its political opponents.
Reactions from Nigerian politicians and citizens
The reactions from Nigerian politicians and citizens to Biden’s delegation have been mixed. Some politicians, particularly those in the ruling APC, have welcomed the move as a show of support for Tinubu and the party’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
Others, however, have criticized the move as interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs and a breach of its sovereignty. Some citizens have taken to social media to express their opinions, with many calling for a more nuanced approach to US-Nigeria relations.
The role of social media in the reactions
Social media has played a significant role in shaping the reactions to Biden’s delegation. Twitter, in particular, has been a platform for Nigerians to express their opinions and engage in heated debates.
The hashtag #BidenStayHome has been trending on Twitter, with many Nigerians using it to call for an end to what they see as foreign interference in Nigeria’s political affairs. Others have used social media to express their support for Tinubu and the APC, and to call for a stronger US-Nigeria relationship.
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The impact of the reactions on US-Nigeria relations
It remains to be seen what impact the reactions to Biden’s delegation will have on US-Nigeria relations. Some analysts believe that the move could be seen as a sign of the US’s continued interest in Nigeria’s political development, and could help to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
Others, however, believe that the move could be seen as interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, and could lead to a deterioration in how Nigerians perceived the U.S government implicit bias to true democracy. It is likely that the reactions will continue to be closely watched by both Nigerian and US policymakers in the coming weeks and months.
Who is Bola Tinubu?
Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a Nigerian politician and former Governor of Lagos State. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential politicians in Nigeria, with a strong following in the South-West region of the country.
Tinubu was the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in Nigeria before becoming the president elect. He played a key role in the party’s victory in the 2015 Presidential Elections, which saw the defeat of the then-incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan.
Tinubu is widely believed to be eyeing the Presidency in the 2023 elections, and his swearing-in as Chairman of the APC Board of Trustees was seen as a step towards that goal.
The significance of Tinubu’s swearing-in
Tinubu’s swearing-in as Chairman of the APC Board of Trustees is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it solidifies his position as the de facto leader of the party, which has been wracked by internal divisions in recent years.
Secondly, it is seen as a precursor to his possible bid for the Presidency in 2023. Tinubu has been coy about his intentions, but his supporters have been vocal in their calls for him to run.
Thirdly, Tinubu’s swearing-in comes at a time of heightened political tensions in Nigeria, with many Nigerians calling for a restructuring of the country’s political system. Tinubu is seen by some as a potential bridge-builder between the North and the South, which have historically been divided along ethnic and religious lines.
Conclusion
The reactions to Biden’s delegation at Tinubu’s swearing-in ceremony have highlighted the complex nature of US-Nigeria relations, as well as the challenges facing Nigeria’s democracy. While some Nigerians have welcomed the move as a sign of the US’s continued interest in Nigeria’s political development, others have criticized it as interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
The role of social media in shaping the reactions has also been significant, with Twitter in particular being a platform for Nigerians to express their opinions and engage in heated debates. It remains to be seen what impact the reactions will have on US-Nigeria relations, but it is clear that the story will continue to be closely watched by policymakers and analysts in both countries.
