Scorned by Trump, many Nigerians love him all the same

By Angela Ukomadu and Libby George

 

Rev. Daddy Hezekiah MFR, International Mayor of Peace and leader of the Living Christ Mission, leads a prayer in support of the U.S. President Donald Trump in Imo state, Nigeria October 25, 2020. SAMUEL ANYAEGBU/LIVING CHRIST MISSION/Handout via REUTERS

 

LAGOS (Reuters) - Hundreds of men and women marched, clad in T-shirts supporting U.S. President Donald Trump or pink fabric dresses bearing the image of Jesus, as they waved American flags, Republican presidential campaign signs, and even a few Nigerian flags.

 

The rally, after all, was in Onitsha, a city in eastern Nigeria.

 

Trump has disparaged African nations, calling them "shithole countries" and saying Africans would never leave the United States if allowed in. This year, he added Nigeria and five other countries when he expanded visa curbs.

 

But millions in Africa's most populous nation love the bombastic 45th U.S. president all the same.

 

"President Trump, may we shout for joy over your victory," Rev. Daddy Hezekiah of the Living Christ Mission Inc., which organized the Oct. 25 rally, said in a video.

 

A Pew Research Center poll in January found that 58% of Nigerians had confidence in Trump, behind only Israel, the Philippines and Kenya. A 2020 Gallup poll showed 56% of Nigerians approved of U.S. leadership, versus 24% for Europeans.

 

In a posh Lagos eatery, a portrait of Trump in a gold-trimmed red agbada, a flowing robe worn by Yoruba men, hangs on the wall. The traditional clothing is a "mark of respect", said artist Peter Udoakang.

 

"I made this painting to bring him closer to us," said the 23-year-old, adding that Trump's "radical" approach to governing appealed to Nigerians, who are used to hustling in a tough economy to survive.

 

On a busy Lagos road, driver Michael Onyeonoro said if Nigeria found a similar leader, the U.S. visa troubles might not matter.

 

"If we have a person like Trump...Nigeria will be a better place to stay," Onyeonoro said. "There will be no need of going outside the country."

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-11-03

 

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Very understandable! Trump made look the US so much more like Nigeria within just 4 years:

• Public election? Barricade yourself at home for two weeks because of the (expected) street violence.
• "Do what I tell, not what I do" government without any accountability.
• Tribal conflict
• Police can shoot you in the back (preferably at night) with impunity

Only difference is: In Nigeria I am still able to collect my risk premium. What a time to be alive!

Must have to do with all those Nigerian princes trying to give me money. Birds of a feather perhaps?

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

many Nigerians love him all the same

 

Vote for nobody !

Lost in translation?

The bigger picture is that other than a few outlier countries 45 is deeply unpopular globally.

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

"If we have a person like Trump...Nigeria will be a better place to stay," Onyeonoro said. "There will be no need of going outside the country."

A truer statement has never been spoken.

So Nigerians are as stupid as 50% of Americans 

King of scammers.... He is their great example!

Away from the US and Western Europe Trump is very popular.

C'mon--it's because O'Bama was born there...

8 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Lost in translation?

The bigger picture is that other than a few outlier countries 45 is deeply unpopular globally.

 As an American I'd be worried about any POTUS that is popular around the globe. He'd have to be selling out the average American to do so.