Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Bola Tinubu made a striking comparison in a post on X on Wednesday, likening Nigerian politician Peter Obi to former US President Donald Trump.
Ajayi suggested that, like Trump, Obi employs provocative rhetoric to stir his base and criticize the nation he seeks to lead.
Ajayi’s comments came in the wake of a contentious US presidential debate between Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. During their exchange on Tuesday, Harris challenged Trump aggressively, exposing his weaknesses and securing a decisive victory in what was described as an intense and personal debate.
“The debate showcased Kamala Harris’s ability to effectively challenge Trump,” Ajayi noted. “While Harris made just one incorrect claim, Trump was found to have made 33 false statements throughout the 90-minute debate.”
Trump’s responses were marked by conspiracy theories and inaccuracies about the 2020 election and immigration policies. He even made unfounded claims about immigrants allegedly consuming pets, which were debunked by local authorities.
The debate, which took place in Philadelphia and was hosted by ABC News, saw Trump often losing his composure and Harris maintaining her composure and strategic advantage. Harris’s performance earned her praise and the endorsement of pop superstar Taylor Swift.
Trump, who described the debate as his “best,” faced criticism from various commentators and polls suggesting Harris emerged victorious. With the 2024 US elections approaching on November 5, Harris’s campaign quickly called for a second debate in October, underlining the high stakes of the presidential race.
In a dramatic opening, Harris surprised Trump by extending a handshake before the debate began, setting a tone of assertiveness that carried through her performance. Trump, in turn, resorted to attacking Harris with personal jabs and accusations, branding her as a “Marxist” and blaming her for perceived failures in the Biden administration.
Harris responded by framing herself as a candidate for a fresh start, emphasizing the need to move beyond the “mess” of the previous administration.
