There were some issues that defined the political landscape in the last twelve months that made up 2017. In this report, Political Correspondent, YUSUF MOHAMMED, takes a look at the key issues that made headlines in politics in 2017.
The year, 2017, was not one of general elections, yet it has unforgettable political moments that shaped it.
One would easily remember how busy the presidential aircraft was. It was not busy due to official activities but for flying President Muhammadu Buhari in and out of Nigeria on medical vacation, especially trips to London.
In January, the president travelled to London for treatment, details of which were not disclosed. The president spent over a 100 days with series of visit from officials from Nigeria. At some point, on his return, he made a remark about his health: “I couldn’t recall ever being so sick.”
While the president was away, there were so many political activities in Nigeria. The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo made peace moves in the Niger-Delta region when agitations by militants from that region reached its peak. Bombing of pipe-lines almost grounded the economy.
While that was going on, there was also an intense war between members of the National Assembly and the executive arm of government. Acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, was refused confirmation. In what seemed to be another embarrassment, the Customs boss, Col. Hameed Ali was asked to appear in uniform on the floor of the Senate. Even the 2017 budget was not left out of the quagmire.
Political analysts began to wonder if there was a synergy amongst members of the All Progressives Congress, APC considering the level of lack of cohesiveness.
Amid all that, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, was forced to a regular visit to the Code of Conduct Tribunal to answer questions on issues related to false declaration of assets. Fingers were also pointed at the executive on some corruption issues. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and his grass cutting controversy, made headlines for weeks. It was alleged that N530 million was used to clear glasses by the SGF.
When the case was becoming an embarrassment to the Buhari administration, Mr. Babachir Lawal was suspended before he was finally sacked after a panel presided over by Osibabjo found him guilty. He was not alone. The National Intelligence Agency boss, Ayo Oke, was also sent packing after he was linked to huge amount of cash found in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi. It should be recalled that on 12 April, a whistle blower alerted the EFCC that 44 million dollars, 27 million pounds and 23 million naira were found in a flat on Osborne Road, Ikoyi Lagos.
After the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, got a bloody nose in 2015 general elections, the party, while trying to rebuild, saw a lot of legal tussles. It came to an end when the Supreme Court sacked Senator Ali Modu Sherif and declared Senator Ahmed Markafi-led caretaker committee as the legal one.
That decision strengthened the party for its national convention which was held on December 9. Mr. Uche Secondus emerged chairman of the PDP. Secondus’ victory did not go down well with those who felt the chairmanship position was meant for the South West. They cried “marginalisation of the South West.” In order to appease aggrieved members, the party set up a National Reconciliatory Committee led by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa.
The PDP gave the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC a stern warning. “We serve them quit notice,” new chairman, Secondus boasted.
The APC on the other hand, has been in crises. Many party members have not been compensated for their roles in the 2015 general elections.
The internal affairs of the party have been very poor as the party has just had only one NEC meeting in over a year and no national convention in over two years as stipulated by its own constitution.
APC held primaries for Lagos local government election on the 28th of May. It was marred by violence. The aftermath was even more devastating. There were sporadic shots fired and people ran for safety. It was so bad that Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi was beaten and had his clothes shredded.
One Razak Bello was shot dead by unknown gunmen suspected to be his political rivals in the primary election. Bello was a leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and also the chairman of the Lagos State Motorcycles Owners Association of Lagos State.
In Osun State, there was a tragedy in the political scene as Senator Isiaka Adeleke who was aspiring to run for governor under the platform of the APC in 2018 lost his life. His seat was declared vacant and his brother, Senator Ademola Adeleke resigned from the ruling APC to officially become the PDP candidate to replace him in the Senate.
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Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola in connivance with other stakeholders of the APC cleared Mudasiru Hussein to run unopposed for the Osun West Senatorial District. As a result, Ademola Adeleke left the APC for the PDP. In the election, he defeated Mudasiru of the ruling party to replace his brother in the Senate.
In Anambra State, despite calls by members of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB for residents to boycott the governorship election, it held peacefully. Mr. Willie Obiano emerged governor of Anambra State in a landslide victory. He defeated his opponents in all local government areas.
In Kogi State, the loudest critic of Governor Yahaya Bello has been Senator Dino Melaye. Melaye who doesn’t see eye to eye with Bello saw it as an opportunity to call for his resignation or impeachment when he learnt that the governor was alleged to have registered twice by INEC.
While Melaye was holding meetings with stakeholders from Kogi State on the need to impeach the governor, Bello on the other hand The Next Edition learnt had sponsored stakeholders from Melaye’s constituency to recall him.
Dino Melaye in order to prevent that from happening organised a protest at the entrance of Kogi State Polytechnic. According to investigations by The Next Edition, unknown gunmen stormed the venue of the rally from Nataco junction, Lokoja as soon as Melaye finished his speech. They shot sporadically and no fewer than five persons were felled by the bullets. One of those who got killed was Saka Seidu, a fresh graduate of the polytechnic.
In reaction, Dino Melaye who is the chairman of Senate Committee on the FCT, called for a state of emergency as there had been two attempts to assassinate him.
Perhaps one of the biggest political stories of the year was the defection of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar from the APC back to the PDP.
The signs were clear to all that Atiku would eventually leave the party. It was just a question of when. The former vice president had complained openly that he was not being carried along in the scheme of things. When Buhari assumed office, he advised his administration to “break special interest cabals in the power and oil sectors to make significant economic progress.” But it seems they never listened.
Next year will even be more exciting as it is the year before the general elections in 2019. Many events will unfold.
