Erasmus Uche Ikedilo
 Published
August 18th, 2008
A couple of weeks ago, we Nigerians in America watched on
NTA international with utmost dismay as some of our
home-based brothers and sisters marched the streets of
Abuja, singing and displaying posters that read amongst
other things “we support Obama for America’s Presidency”,
“America’s Whitehouse for a black”.. The rather ridiculous
demonstration of support for the democrats flag bearer did
not stop/end there, instead the legislators brought to the
very floor of the house of representatives and pledged their
solidarity and support for senator Obama. What a most
undiplomatic thing for a nation’s law-makers to do so
brazenly and to the very watch of both senators Obama and
Mcain and the American voters/electorate who would really
decide who is going to be the next president.
Whereas Nigerians and indeed home-based citizens of
countries around the world are free to make their choice in
the current race for the white house, making it a state or
congress-organised event is both uncalled for and
counter-productive and could result in straining the
country’s relationship with USA if senator Mcain wins.
Besides, this massive support for Obama by Nigerians and other
Africans leaves nobody in doubt as to the reason for such a
sudden popularity amongst even some Africans who have
neither seen on television what he is like or heard him
speak much more knowing what his campaign manifesto is all
about. If the obvious reason is racial, the danger is that
it is going to aggravate/stimulate white-consciousness whereby
the majority American whites who command over 55% of the
country’s population and who though voted across racial
lines during party’s nominee selection, will, come November
presidential race proper, throw their weight behind their
kind senator Mcain.
If Nigerians and other African nationals at home and here in
USA know that they have no vote for the November
presidential elections, they should not through their
unpronounced but reckless racial discrimination jeopardize
the winning chances of one while enhancing victory for the
other. It is therefore advisable that those demonstrators in
the streets of Abuja and the misleading legislators who
brought and passed the motion of support for one candidate,
should concern themselves with the numerous unsolved
political issues in Nigeria and their respective countries.
Minding one’s business must always remain the best option
for the enhancement of cordial relationship.
Erasmus Uche Ikedilo
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