Four things Trump and Buhari have in common

[Nergal]

 

As Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari is about to meet his US counterpart Donald Trump, BBC Igbo has been looking at four things the men have in common.

1) Assumed office in their 70s

Mr Buharị was 73 when he assumed office in 2015 and Mr Trump was 70 when he came to power last year.

2) Their elections came as a surprise

Mr Buhari was Nigera’s first oppostion leader to win an election - never before had a sitting president been defeated at the polls. In the US, Hillary Clinton was tipped to win the 2016 election, but the US billionaire and Republican candidate claimed victory after a string of formerly Democratic states swung his way.

3) Troubled relationship with the media

President Trump does not hide his disdain for journalists and the press in general. Mr Buhari, a former military ruler, is equally as wary and only makes policy statement when he is outside the country, tending to shun local media interviews.

4) Known for their gaffes

Mr Trump's blunt language on Twitter is infamous and he is alleged to have used the word "shithole" to describe African nations – though he denies being racist. Mr Buhari has had equally embarrassing moments. He once responded to criticism from his wife by saying she belonged in his kitchen and earlier this year upset Nigerians by suggesting young people were not hard working.