America is gearing up for its presidential election, and the world watches as the political gladiators unfold their plans with tension, intrigues, twists and turns that have resulted in Joe Biden withdrawing from the race, NGOZI EGENUKA reports.

The American President, Joe Biden, yesterday, put an end to his election campaign, stating that it was in the best interest of his party and country to step down. Expressing gratitude to the current vice-president, Kamala Harris and every one that has been supportive of his reelection bid, he stated that he has to focus solely on fulfilling his duties as President for the remainder of his term.

Stating that it had been a great honour to serve America, he also endorsed Harris, to be the new Democratic nominee.

The United States would on November 5, hold its presidential elections. Ahead of it, campaigns are taking place actively with the two contenders, now Harris who may possibly take over from Biden, and the past president, Donald Trump. Both candidates are determined to win the election, but one person will taste defeat.

Speaking on Biden’s decision, Professor of Political Science, Lagos State University, Sylvester Odion, said the resignation was expected, as he was already suffering from dementia, so there was no way he could win the elections.

He referenced how the American elite kept insisting on a sitting president not to run, stating that Nigeria can learn from. “Unlike Nigeria where politicians want to remain in office at all cost, undermining the interest of the people,” he added.

He noted that it is a plus on the American democracy where people don’t put their personal interest above the interest of the state.

For Professor of International Relations and Strategic Studies, University of Lagos, David Aworawo, there are aspects of the elections campaign leading up to this point that are disturbing, especially the lack of civility that has characterised the campaigns.

He recommended that practicing politics of civility and respect for rule of law, would help America have a peaceful election, which would enable them maintain the moral high ground to speak when things are going wrong in other countries.

He noted that there is need for greater civility in the way both sides are going about their campaign, stating that politics of bitterness is evident in their strategies which is not laudable.

“There are already talks that America is just like every global South, where violence, extreme positions, politics of bitterness are the features of the electoral process.

“Trump has continued his rhetoric as usual and is stirring up emotions among his supporters. On the other hand, as Biden has stepped down, some Republicans think that they have a better chance at winning with Harris as the presidential candidate,” he said.

He noted, however, that the security forces need to be more alert and work cooperatively, adding that there is need for better coordination for effective security.

A Professor at the Lagos State University, Kayode Soremekun, said that there is a sense of cohesion across political divide after the near death incident of Trump with all parties condemning the violence.

Following the condemnation of violence, Nigerians can learn from the act and shun violence, citing the recent occurrence in Edo state, which was marred by violence.

He noted, however, that the republican candidate seems to be coasting home, but the nature of democracy is such that the acid test would come during elections.

He expressed optimism that the violence that was experienced would be a mere exception in the entire race.

“The faith of the world hangs on the election, because whoever wins has the capacity to determine and influence issues in the world. The rest of the world is waiting in terms of anticipating policy positions and adoption of policies as there are implications for whoever wins

Soremekun noted that for Africans, the immediate implication would be on America’s migration policy. “Democrats are more relaxed towards immigration, while Trump is more stringent. In both cases, they are both catering to America’s interests,” he said.

Senior Lecturer, History and Strategic Studies, University of Lagos, Dr Friday Aworawo, on the lessons Nigerian politicians can garner from the campaign of the United States presidential elections, he noted that they can learn to be humane and avoid turning some sensitive issues to propaganda.

He gave instances of Biden’s reaction after Trump was shot, by calling Trump after the incident and out-rightly condemning the act. Trump on the other hand after the debates where there were concerns for the age limitations of Biden did not gloat over that factor or capitalise on that in propaganda.

He added that despite their differences, the two party flag bearers did not accused each other for the attempt on Trump’s life.
Noting that politics would come and go, he charged politicians in Nigeria to not on the basis of the desire to attain such position, create a sense of instability.

“Politicians in Nigeria should learn that they are Nigerians primarily and if there is no country they would be unable to contest elections. They should also have the element of humanity so that in cases where the political opponent is challenged, it is not used as a slogan for campaigning. They should also put national interest as a priority rather than campaign of calumny,”he said.

Meanwhile, Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, in a recent interview, described Trump as a consummate liar, saying he is a menace and a danger to the world.

He noted that Trump has studied and understood the American psyche and know what to do to get them to believe him and on his side.

“I don’t think the world has ever known such a consummate liar like Donald Trump. If you want to find out what is going on, look at all the many lies of this fellow called Trump. So many lies. But I don’t want to go in that direction.

“But Donald Trump is a menace, he is a danger to the world. I mean it. It is not just to America. He is a danger to the world.”

Last week, Biden faced renewed pressure after testing positive for COVID-19, with top Democrats questioning his candidacy in the upcoming presidential elections.

Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, have been reported to have met him individually to express concerns over his bid for the White House.

Former House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, had also privately told him that he cannot beat Donald Trump in November’s election, according to CNN. There is currently a list of nearly three dozen Democrats in Congress who say it’s time for Biden to leave the race.

According to CNN, Biden was expected to speak at the group’s conference in Las Vegas Wednesday night, an hour and a half prior to the report.

Biden was scheduled to appear at a UnidosUS conference in Nevada on Wednesday, before the President, UnidosUS, Janet Murguía, told attendees, “I was just on the phone with President Biden. And he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon. The president has been at many events as we all know and he just tested positive for COVID-19.”

It should be recounted that the 81 year old president has tested positive for COVID-19 twice before.

However, democrats turmoil is deepening over whether Biden’s his Vice President Kamala Harris is next in line for the job or if a “mini primary” should be quickly launched to choose a new nominee before the party’s August convention.

Days before this, there was an assassination attempt on Trump, one that was condemned by Biden, who ordered an independent review of security measures at the campaign rally where Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt.

Trump on July, 13, was shot and wounded in his right ear while addressing a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. Shortly after Trump began addressing the rally, Thomas Crooks, who the FBI identified as the shooter, a 20-year-old man from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, fired eight rounds with an AR-15–style rifle from the roof of a building located around 400 feet (120 meters) from the stage.

The shots also led to the death of an audience member, Corey Comperatore and critically injured two other audience members. Crooks was eventually killed by U.S. Secret Service’s counter-sniper team.
State voter records showed that the shooter was a registered Republican.

He also donated $15 to liberal campaign group ActBlue in 2021, according to an election donation filing and news reports .

It has also been reported that Crooks had photos on his phone of the former Republican president, President Joe Biden and other officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Chris Wray, he also looked up the dates for the Democratic National Convention as well as Trump’s appearances and flew a drone above the site of the shooting ahead of time.

Trump, at his first rally, since the attempt on his life, said he “took a bullet for democracy”. The rally, attended by thousands in Michigan, was also his first rally with new running mate JD Vance.

He told a packed arena in Grand Rapids that Democrats have accused him of being “a threat to democracy” and, to huge applause, said he was ready to “take back the White House”.

High inflation, significant industrial policy bills, unrest overseas, and concerns about Mr. Biden’s age have characterised his presidency. These issues have also plagued his campaign While Trump has been found guilty of a felony related to his 2016 presidential campaign and is facing federal charges for his alleged involvement in that conspiracy, where supporters attempted to have his election loss overturned in 2020.

There are speculations that the election will be less a popularity contest than a referendum on who Americans think is the least bad option. Currently, Trump is winning the polls having 46 per cent while Biden is at 44 per cent.

According to disclosures published on Saturday, Biden’s election campaign last month outraised and outspent Trump. The main campaign account for Biden, took in $64 million in June and spent $59 million, largely on campaign ads, ending the month with $95 million in the bank, according to a filing submitted to the Federal Election Commission. While Trump’s main account reported raising $21 million in June and spending about $10 million, while having $128 million in cash at the close of the month.

This month however, Biden has faced a wave of calls from Democratic lawmakers to bow out of the race, and his fundraising has reportedly sagged so far in the month.

Biden and Trump have been locked in a tight race in national polls, though Trump has led in several polls in battleground states that could determine the winner of the Nov. 5 presidential election.