Renowned political scientist Professor Bolaji Akinyemi has urged President Bola Tinubu to be cautious in his dealings with the newly inaugurated 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Akinyemi warned that engaging in a confrontation with Trump could prove unwise.
“If I were President Tinubu, I would avoid antagonizing Trump,” Akinyemi stated.
“There is nothing a bully enjoys more than taking on those who are not strong enough to resist him,” he added, stressing that sometimes it is better to avoid direct confrontation, even if it means enduring actions that may be contrary to Nigeria’s interests.
Akinyemi, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), further referenced an African proverb, noting that confronting a bully without the strength to back it up can lead to unnecessary suffering.
He advised Tinubu to find ways to address any issues with Trump without engaging in a head-on confrontation.
Commenting on Trump’s inaugural speech, Akinyemi expressed disappointment, calling it “uninspiring,” “shocking,” and “depressing.”
Instead of uniting the world, Trump’s address focused on asserting aggressive policies, including controversial stances like reclaiming the Panama Canal and renaming the Gulf of Mexico.
Akinyemi warned that Trump would soon face the consequences of his “jingoistic” policies, predicting a tumultuous four years ahead.
Akinyemi, who also served as Nigeria’s former Minister of External Affairs, stated that Nigeria would likely not be a priority under Trump’s administration.
He urged that Nigeria should not expect any extraordinary changes in relations with the U.S. during Trump’s second term.
Trump was sworn in on Monday, marking his return to the presidency after losing his re-election bid in 2020.
At his inauguration, he was surrounded by a group of powerful figures, including billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg.
In contrast to his previous refusal to attend Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration, former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton were present at this event, signaling a return to traditional norms, despite the absence of Michelle Obama, who chose not to attend.
