Like Nigeria’s Buhari, Joe Biden sheds tears before becoming president

It seems Muhammadu Buhari and Joe Biden have two things in common: gaffes and tears.

After Buhari lost the presidential election to Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, he cried.

Seeing the level of incompetence critics say is now ravaging the country on his watch, it remains unclear whether Buhari’s tears were shed out of passion for Nigeria or out of frustration over something else.

Biden was overcome with emotion Tuesday during his farewell address from Delaware. His source of emotional overflow, however, seemed clear.

Biden paid tribute to his late son, Beau, who died from brain cancer in 2015. “I only have one regret, that he’s not here,” Biden said. “Because we should be introducing him as president.”

Biden and Buhari are both 78. So, they’re age mates. Both men also have a history of failed electoral campaigns.

It also seems that they are gaffe mates.

Buhari later won the presidency in 2015 and wad reelected in 2019. But his presidency and campaign has been plagued by gaffes.

The Nigerian leader said his wife Aisha, who has not been seen in public for months, belonged in the kitchen. He made the comment during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel who is arguably the most powerful woman in the world.

On the last campaign trail, Buhari introduced a senatorial candidate as the presidential candidate. The president also said that he influenced Osun’s governorship election “by remote control”.

Biden on his part, said he was able to put together the most diverse election fraud organisation in history. He made the comments before the November 3 poll which many Americans say was rigged.

Also, on the campaign trail, Biden introduced himself as a candidate running for the senate. While on a podium one time, Biden mistook his sister for his wife, Jill.

Buhari and Biden may share some traits but Americans would hope that their new president does not drink from the infested waters of Buhari’s reported incompetence.