The upcoming United States presidential election on November 5, 2024, will see current Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, face former President Donald Trump, a Republican.
Surprisingly, many Nigerians may prefer Kamala Harris for the presidency. This support is fueled by several reasons tied closely to Nigerian society and politics.
Although Harris did not visit Nigeria during her recent tour in Africa, it hasn’t diminished the admiration many Nigerians feel toward her.
Here are some reasons why some Nigerians support Harris:
1. Strong Ties with Africa
Harris has roots that resonate with Africans, being of Jamaican and Indian descent. This has drawn the interest of many Nigerians and Africans who feel a connection to her as part of the African diaspora.
According to a news article by Baptiste News in August 2024, many African church groups in the US have expressed support for Harris’s presidential run. Messages encouraging this unity have circulated through WhatsApp groups, with the message titled, “Africans in the Diaspora for Kamala Harris.”
“Africans in the Diaspora for Kamala Harris” is more than a slogan for many African Americans, Joseph Ajibola, a Nigerian-American realtor based in Houston, told Baptiste News how many Africans attended a Zoom meeting to support Harris.
He shared, “There was excitement for her candidacy among Africans. A Ghanaian friend in New York also joined the meeting.” He believes Harris will bring positive changes, especially in education and healthcare, making these essential services more affordable.
Harris’s mixed heritage and connection with Africa have only strengthened her support from the continent.
When she visited Zambia during her weeklong trip to Africa, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema described the visit as “a homecoming” due to Harris’s childhood memories of Zambia, where her grandfather once worked.
In Ghana, President Nana Akufo-Addo welcomed her warmly, saying, “You’re welcome home.”
These interactions made many Africans feel even closer to Harris, who they consider as one of their own.
2. Our In-Law
Harris also has a personal connection to Nigeria through her niece, Meena Harris, who is married to a Nigerian, Nikolas Ajagu, Anambra State. Nikolas, who is a top executive at Facebook, is the son of Dr. Chris Ajagu.
The marriage between Meena and Nikolas represents a bridge between Nigeria and a prominent American family, with Kamala Harris as their aunt.
This connection gives Harris the special title of “in-law” among many Nigerians. In Igbo culture, a good in-law is celebrated for the goodwill they bring to the family.
If elected president, Kamala Harris would become the first US president with a Nigerian family tie.
3. Fears Over Trump’s Immigration Policies
Nigerians also support Harris because they fear Trump’s strict immigration policies. When he was president, Trump’s policies made life “harder” for immigrants in the United States.
He promoted a “zero-tolerance” policy that caused family separations at the border and proposed large-scale deportations.
Trump’s administration also reduced legal immigration by nearly 50%, making it harder for skilled workers to get visas and increasing fees for citizenship applications.
For Nigerians who want to ‘Japa’ to the US, these policies represent significant barriers.
With Trump indicating that he would reintroduce these measures if re-elected, many Nigerians see Harris as a better choice, hoping she would be more supportive of immigrants and their families.
4. Political Unity and Global Influence
Many Nigerians feel a sense of African solidarity in supporting Harris, seeing her potential presidency as a way to influence American policies that could benefit Africa.
The US-Nigeria relationship is especially important, as Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and largest economy.
The United States and Nigeria have had a strong partnership for more than five decades, and there is hope that Harris, with her ties to the continent, would continue to strengthen these relations.
Under President Joe Biden, Nigerians living in the US contributed $20 billion to the Nigerian economy in remittances. These remittances support families back home and help strengthen the naira, Nigeria’s currency.
Yvette Allen, an accounting manager in Las Vegas, spoke to the PUNCH about Harris’s appeal. “She proved herself by helping Biden defeat Trump. Kamala understands what it takes to maintain good relations with other countries,” she shared.
