Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, has reacted to ex-US president Donald Trump’s arraignment and travails in court.
Recall that on Tuesday, the former Republican President had 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree after hearing charges against him stemming from a hush money payment to an adult film actress in 2016.
In an interview on Thursday on Arise Television, monitored by newsmen, Akinyemi said he had not seen anybody with anything good to say about Trump.
He said the implication is that dictators worldwide would be wary of their actions and inactions while in office.
He added that Trump’s comment describing the persecution as politically-motivated is unsurprising.
“Maybe good for democracy, now the presidents would be cautious of their actions while in office.
“This trend would have happened a decade ago because the actions of some presidents were close to criminal indictment,” he said.
He explained that Trump had always escaped crimes without being caught but this ongoing arraignment may be his waterloo.
“I worry that given the toxic atmosphere in Washington DC, a district Attorney can set aside the office of Trump in the case of the Republican Party’s emergence.
“Some African dictators will be panicking about their fate after leaving office.
“I am not surprised that Trump would say it is political persecution; most victims will say the same about crime,” he added.