The World Trade Organization, (WTO), had acknowledged the nomination of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former Finance Minister and former Managing Director of World Bank, as the best candidate for the position of the Director-General of the organization. The US government has however opposed Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination.
While the former Nigerian Minister had polled a total of 104 votes out of the 164 member states, which clearly shows the support of the WTO for the Nigerian candidacy to take up the role, the US delegation refuted the move gearing support for Yoo Myung-hee, the South Korean Trade Minister.
Many Nigerians have reacted to the US on social media. They have dragged and trolled President Donald Trump’s administration for opposing the Nigerian candidacy as the consensus candidate for the post of Director-General of WTO.
Reacting to this also, some Nigerians laid reference to the intense hostility faced by Chief Akinwumi Adesina of African Development Bank from Washington before his re-election.
In the light of this, Nigerians have referred to Adesina’s breakthrough, and are hoping for the eventual appointment of the former World Bank Director to emerge as the first African and first female Director-General in the two and the half decades history of the World Trade Organisation.
According to Dele Momodu, a Popular Nigerian journalist, he stated that, ‘It is very unfortunate. I don’t know why the US is always opposing Nigeria’s candidates, but I believe the other countries will stand up against the bullying of America.’
He further opined, ‘Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is one of the brightest, not only on the continent but in the world. I look forward to congratulating her as soon as possible.’
Also @jeolaolarewaju tweeted, ‘Even with America’s misconceived approach, she has the upper hand because she has shattered a couple of ceilings.’
Adding to the various reactions of Nigerians on social media, is Noblemighty Njoku comment on Facebook, he said, ‘Trump’s racism can’t be hidden nor (can) his pure hatred for Africans.’
Hephzibah Suobo also queried that, ‘Is the WTO a property of one country or all its members? She already had the majority of the votes out of 164 states. She can’t be stopped.’
In respect to this, the troika has concluded the third round of consultations, and its decision marks a very important step in making way for the Nigerian candidacy to become both the first woman and the first African to head the organisation.
Read Also: WTO: Nigerians Drag Trump’s Government for Opposing Okonjo-Iweala
But the final consensus of the WTO’s 164 member states will be a great determinant whether they will give her their full support before their next General Council meeting schduled to hold on November 9.