I knew it would get to this. Anybody who understands international politics would have seen the inevitability of this move by Trump
Nigeria is too big a Nation to be run internationally the way Tinubu has run it
No voice in International relations, no position on any international issue and no weight or leverage in any international power state
I told some people that Tinubu would not be given State visits to either the US, Germany or the UK and two years later, it has happened
What we see are private visits to France and the UK, and huge state visits to little and inconsequential states
We are running a petty foreign policy. A policy that avoids significant issues and big players while pandering to little issues in tiny corners of the world.
Our President would give an excuse not to attend the UNGA, but a few days later, he will go on a 10-day state visit to a cobweb-filled island.
This is why he is not taken seriously by international players, yeah, and this is why he has verbally been flogged by Trump
The issue is real, and yes, thousands are being killed all over Nigeria, but not only Christians. Everybody is being killed, and I can say that Muslims are even more killed than Christians if I am not wrong.
However, it took an alleged coup plan to effect a radical change in the Armed Forces, and all the defeats in the war front could not bring about that change, showing a laissez-faire approach by the Government to something as gruesome as a near genocidal war.
It is for this reason that America is trying to shove off the Government and go straight to the problem, following the cries of those whose blood continues to be shed
You see, no law says you should be an Obasanjo – an International affairs giant, but you can understand your personal limitation as President and build a strong team
Gowon did it with Joe Garba, IBB did it with Ike Nwachukwu, Shagari did it with Emeka Anyaoku, and IBB did it again with Bolaji Akinyemi
Who is running our International affairs today? One grey-haired man and a former beauty Queen who spends more time in Africa sampling cultural artefacts
Where is the NIIA? Do we even have an Ambassador in the US? Where is the Nigerian lobby in Congress
Today, Abike Dabiri is more visible than the whole Foreign Affairs team assembled by this government, and before you know it, they will throw Reno Omokhiri at the problem.
We have a significant problem with our President and whatever is making him either refuse to pay a state visit to the US or them inviting him, should be looked into.
If care is not taken, a dotted line could be drawn from his Chicago days to where we are today, cos Tinubu is such a brilliant strategist and personality for him to be this timid with America
I have read somewhere that he may be meeting with Trump, and if this happens, then he has an ace over Trump
Agree to work with him to bring back Nigerians who are illegal in his country which is Trumps passion.
Agree to work with him to position Nigeria as a bulwark against the encroaching Russian and Chinese influence in the region
Open up tremendous opportunities to American businesses, especially in agriculture, Oil, Power and IT. Areas that America seems to have taken a beating on
Lastly, remind him of the massive refugee problem that would be unleashed on the sub-region in the event of destabilising 200m in the name of fighting terrorists
Remind him that the scourge has been contained to some parts of the country and seek his support to end it there
Offer land for American bases, which would provide security in the region and boost both international and Nigerian interests
In return, ask for Arms, more specific aid and a permanent ally in all American interests globally
Truth, apart from immigration, we seem to share a lot with Trump’s America, so aligning should not be too difficult.
The international optics are not good. Our President does not register on the radar internationally, unlike the South African President, who is playing a significant role internationally
Our President should stop riding in 100-car motorcades in Idumota and take his motorcade to the streets of New York, London, and Washington, and make a definite statement that he represents a proud country that can take care of itself.
Oga, wake up and do your work abeg
Come and beat me
Duke of Shomolu