The Presidency has drawn a parallel between Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, and Donald Trump, the former US President and Republican candidate for the 2024 US presidential election. Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Bola Tinubu, made the comparison on (link unavailable), highlighting the similarities in their campaign strategies. According to Ajayi, both Obi and Trump are known for using negative language to describe the countries they seek to lead, with the aim of riling up their supporters.
The comparison was made in the wake of the US presidential debate between Trump and Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris. During the debate, Harris and Trump clashed on various issues, including abortion rights and immigration. Ajayi noted that Harris effectively prosecuted Trump, winning the debate and showcasing her capacity for leadership. He also highlighted that Harris had set traps for Trump, who fell for her baits and made 33 false claims during the 90-minute debate.
Ajayi’s comparison between Obi and Trump suggests that both candidates rely on divisive rhetoric to mobilize their bases. This approach has been criticized for promoting misinformation and undermining democratic institutions. The US presidential debate highlighted Trump’s propensity for spreading conspiracy theories and false claims, which were repeatedly fact-checked by debate moderators. Despite this, Trump continued to double down on his assertions, including a claim that immigrants were eating dogs and pets in Springfield, which was contradicted by the city manager.
The 2024 US presidential election is scheduled to take place on November 5, 2024. As the campaign season heats up, the comparison between Obi and Trump serves as a reminder of the importance of fact-based campaigning and the need for candidates to engage in constructive dialogue. With the Nigerian presidency also drawing parallels between the two candidates, it remains to be seen how this will play out in the political landscape of both countries.
