Whenever I see commentaries and posts about the US 2020 Presidential election on social media by those who cannot vote in the forthcoming election, I often feel the individuals involved have misplaced priorities. But on second thought recently, I realized that Nigerians and indeed citizens of the world cannot show indifference in the domestic events in foreign countries that have global effects or repercussions. The policies and politics of whoever becomes the president of the United States would affect everything from what constitutes human rights abuse to the definition of what civil rights is and most importantly global trade and prosperity. Hence, I deemed it necessary to dig a little deep into the wisdom behind Joe Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris as a running mate. The first question I asked myself was, is this woman qualified to run the United States of America if anything happens to Joe Biden if he becomes the 46th President of the United States? For me, the answer is yes putting into consideration her education and experience. She has served as attorney general of the fifth largest economy in the world – California and the most ethnically diverse state in the United States. She is also a serving US senator and was a presidential candidate that held her won during the Democratic Party’s presidential primaries. Notwithstanding, education, and experience are not just enough often in delivering the goods. The Nigerian Vice President, Pastor Professor Yemi Osinbajo is a notable example of the fact that appropriate education and experience might not be good enough. He has been unable to give the certificateless Buhari the needed educational cushion that ordinarily would have improved Buhari’s policies and politics.

Donald Trump continues to be popular among White males and evangelicals because of his policies. And because of his understanding of how emotional we are as humans. Most voters and evangelicals do not care about the fact that Donald Trump is arguably one of the worst examples of who a Christian should be. Trump has been found wanting in having a relationship with a porn star as a married man. He has mocked someone with disabilities in his campaign. He has displayed unmistakable evidence of megalomania and disdain for rule of law, freedom of the press, and other democratic tenets that America is built on. Nigerian Christians generally like Trump because Obama supported the present Nigerian government that has been disastrous in every key index. From the genocidal rampage of Fulani herdsmen to the collapse of the Nigerian economy, supporting the Buhari and working against the re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan is an unforgivable sin to many Nigerian Christians because of what Christian communities have suffered under Buhari’s leadership. It has been sorrow, tears, and blood.

Nigerian Trump supporters have questioned how Black is Kamala Harris? My take is that anyone who has a tenth or even less of his or her heritage or parentage as Black is completely Black. It is this great mindset that has helped to increase the population and influence of Jews around the world. Donald Trump is also popular with those who feel the world needs an American government that can check the growing influence and excesses of China in the world. China like all other nations seeks their economic advantage in all their dealings often with lopsided terms and conditions like the terms of the recent Chinese loan the ministry of transportation was about to take that has sovereignty concerns. Christians all over the world also accommodate Trump because of the growth of Islam and its consequences for Christian communities globally that often result in conflicts. The incidence with Yazidis and other non-Islamic minorities that usually suffer untold violence like what is happening in Southern Kaduna is also another sour consideration that has endeared Trump to Nigerian Christians. The liberal policies of the Democratic party are another point of worry. Some feel with the Democratic Party’s definition and liberal interpretation of civil rights, pedophilia might soon be included as a sexual orientation and included as a right. As November draws near for the US Presidential election, Nigerians should know that since they cannot vote in the election, debating acrimoniously and quarreling with family and friends online or offline is tantamount to experiencing labour for another person’s pregnancy.

Ata Ukuta, Editor – www.towncryyers.com