Year in Review: Political scandal that rocked Nigeria in 2023

There have been several political scandals in Nigeria in 2023

Some of the most notable ones are:

1. Bola Tnubu forged results

The allegation of forged diploma by the opposition against President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who won the February 2023 election.

The first runner-up, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and his lawyer claimed that President Tinubu presented a fake diploma from an American university to the election commission and should be removed from office.

2. Banditry in the North West

The banditry crisis in the North West geopolitical zone, where criminal groups, popularly known as bandits, emerged following years of conflict between nomadic Fulani herdsmen and farming communities.

The bandits carried out kidnappings for ransom, killings, rape, and looting across several states in the region, while the military responded with airstrikes and ground invasions with special forces.

In January 2023, the Nigerian authorities officially categorised the bandits as terrorists.

3. Separatists agitations in South East

The separatist insurgency in the southeast region, where gunmen agitating for the secession of the region continued killings of residents and government officials.

The gunmen were allegedly members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group that seeks to restore the defunct Republic of Biafra that existed briefly in the late 1960s.

4. 2023 electoral violence

The electoral violence that marred the 2023 general elections, especially in the states of Rivers, Kano, Lagos, and Akwa Ibom.
There were reports of ballot box snatching, voter intimidation, arson, and clashes between rival party supporters and security forces.

Several people were killed and injured in the incidents, while some polling units were cancelled or rescheduled.

These are some of the political scandals that rocked Nigeria in 2023, but there are many more that you can find online.

5. Corruption probe against President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience.

The corruption probe against former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Patience Jonathan, who were accused of embezzling billions of naira from the public treasury during their tenure.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested and arraigned them in court on multiple charges of money laundering, fraud, and abuse of office.

6. Godwin Obaseki and Philip Shaibu saga

The impeachment saga of the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, who was accused of gross misconduct, abuse of power, and constitutional breaches by the Edo State House of Assembly.

The Assembly, which was dominated by the opposition APC, passed a motion to impeach Obaseki on March 23, 2023, but the governor refused to step down and challenged the legality of the motion in court.

7. Political brawl between Rotimi Akeredolu and Lucky Aiyedatiwa

The battle royal between the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

This brawl arose as a result of the state governor being sick and needing to go for medical checks abroad and transferring political power to his Deputy, Aiyedatiwa.

The governor upon hisbretin from a medical check abroad did not go back to Ondo State but chose to reside in his personal house in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Commissioners in his cabinet claimed that the reason was that there was no befitting accomodation for the governor in Akure.
Some interests were also against the assuming of power by Akeredolu's deputy.

This led to the intervention of the President Bola Tinubu.

Of recent, Governor Akeredolu scheduled medical leave and planned to travel abroad thereby transferring power to his Deputy.
Many have even called the president to initiate the Doctrine of Necessity in the Ondo scenario.

8. Allegations of forgery of Governor Akeredolu's signature

The allegations of forging of Govenor Akeredolu's signature and the refusal and acceptance by the state commissioners.

This is another political scandal that was nearly swept under the carpet but likely to continue into 2024.



FI