NIGERIA: Most talked about politicians of 2023

Election was held at the presidential, governorship, senatorial, house of representative, state house of assembly levels.

Several events unfolded causing a rift in some political camps as well as bringing together politicians from different political parties.

In a bid to examine the events that unfolded, MyNigeria bring to you the most talked about politicians of 2023.

These politicians made the news each time and attracted several criticisms from the public. They include;

President Bola Tinubu

Although he has been a household name, President Tinubu continued to make the news after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared him the winner of the 2023 presidential election.

He beat his closest contender, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

After his inauguration, he began to receive backlashes following his removal of fuel subsidy, which led to hike in fuel prices and economic hardship. Nigerian who was not pleased called out for intervention. Tinubu continues to face several criticisms from Nigerians after seven months as President.

Some question his legitimacy as the leader as many claims they never voted him to power and his leadership has not been successful.

Peter Obi

The politician with one of the largest supporters in the political landscape in Nigeria popularly known as Obidients.

Since he emerged as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, his supporters have grown despite losing the presidential election to President Bola Tinubu.

At some point, many were convinced that Peter Obi would win the election as a result of the loud cheer and praises he received from loud crowd everywhere he went.

Obi was said to have emerged third in the February 18 election. Displeased by the verdict of INEC, Obi and his party petitioned the Tribunal in Abuja which affirmed Tinubu as the winner. Obi further petitioned the Supreme Court with the aim to nullify Tinubu’s victory. However, the apex court also upheld Tinubu’s victory, stating that Peter Obi petition lacked merit.

Following his failure to win the 2023 election, Obi and his party continue to criticize President Bola Tinubu’s government.

Atiku Abubakar

Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate in the just concluded Nigerian election came second after Bola Tinubu with about six million votes. The 2023 election was his sixth attempt since 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019.

His followers are commonly referred to as “Atikulated’’, and was stripped of his popularity in the wake of 2023 election when Peter Obi left PDP and emerged as Labour Party’s presidential candidate.

Many “Atikulated’’ followers reportedly switched camp to LP and were now known as “Obidients’’, which is believed to have contributed to Abubakar’s loss in the 2023 election. He also challenged the election results in court but lost.

In a press conference, Atiku called for a collaboration/merger between the opposition parties ahead of the 2027 election.

Dino Melaye

Dino Melaye made the news during the 2023 presidential election. When there was mild drama at the national Collation Center as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejected the Presidential election result declared for Ekiti State, alleging over-voting.

The Drama began before the beginning of collation when a chieftain of the PDP, Senator Dino Melaye who was also the agent of the PDP raised an observation that the figures of results announced by the commission for Ekiti State do not correlate.

INEC had declared the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, winner of Ekiti State with 201,494 defeating his closest rival Abubakar Atiku of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who scored 89, 554.

Melaye also made the news when he contested for the governorship election in Kogi State in November.

Dino polled 46,262 votes to come third in the gubernatorial election held on Saturday, the 11th.

He however, rejected the results of the polls, saying “the APC institutionalised rigging, in a scientific form.”

Reno Omokri:

Controversial social media commentator, Reno Omokri, used his social media page to drum support for President Bola Tinubu despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

On several occasions, Omokri defended Tinubu’s victory against Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate.

Omokri was fond of calling out Peter Obi and any person who was an adent supporter of the LP flagbearer.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari:

The former President in May 2023 handed over to his successor, President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

He has since retired to his home state in Daura, Kastina state. He has on few occasions shared his thoughts on Presidents Tinubu’s leadership.

However, Buhari’s name continue to pop up as many compare his tenure to that of Tinubu.

Simon Ekpa:

The Biafra Agitator made a show in 2023 after he launched the Biafra Liberation Army and was talked about on the floor of the Nigerian Senate.

He became a major concern for the security agencies in the country following their fight in the South East states.

Ekpa who has vowed to continue to oppress the Nigerian government said until Nnamdi Kanu is released from the DSS custody, he will not relent.

Nyesom Wike:

Controversial politician who became the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT after his tenure as Governor of Rivers State, often made the news in the year 2023.

Wike was engaged in a fight with his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara over the control of the political structure of the PDP in the oil-rich state.

Their fued became went public after some suspected arsonists threw explosives into the Rivers State House of Assembly, destroying a part of the complex.

This move occurred when a group of lawmakers attempted to impeach Governor Fubara. Ever since, Wike’s relationship with Fubara has deteriorated as there are speculations that the FCT Minister masterminded his impeachment plot.