Renowned political scientist and former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, has advised President Bola Tinubu to avoid any confrontations with the newly inaugurated 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump.
Akinyemi characterized Trump as a “bully” who thrives on confronting those perceived as weaker.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Monday, Akinyemi cautioned Tinubu against reacting aggressively even if Trump’s actions might undermine Nigerian interests. He remarked, “If I were President Tinubu, I would try to steer clear of antagonising him because there is nothing a bully likes better than taking on people who are not strong enough to resist him.”
Akinyemi drew from an African proverb to illustrate his point: “You know there is that African proverb that if you are not strong enough to take on a bully and you take him on, you are just even going to suffer more for it.”
He further elaborated on his advice, suggesting diplomatic approaches to handle Trump’s actions: “That’s the advice I will give President Tinubu: try and avoid having a confrontation with him even if that means that he does things that annoy or does things that step on the interests of Nigeria. There are ways in which you could address his reaction without confrontation.”
Akinyemi also critiqued Trump’s inaugural speech, calling it “uninspiring, shocking, and depressing.” He highlighted Trump’s focus on aggressive policies like reclaiming the Panama Canal, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and engaging in tariff wars, rather than fostering global peace.
