We’ve told you everything you need to know about the aspirants hoping to enter one trouser to fight for your vote in 2023.Well, ding ding ding. This time, we made a picture compilation to remind you of the hilarious moments Nigerian politicians were on the streets to impress us.
1. 2018 Ekiti State gubernatorial campaign
Tell me your Governor is working without telling me your Governor is working.
They had to show us that the ‘other room’ is not the only place they get down and dirty in. Just look at them digging into that kpomo stew for the masses. Ekiti we hail.
2. 2019 presidential election
Daddy oyoyoyo…
This is how politicians tell you they are for the people and by the people. It’s the pure water for us.
3. 2018 gubernatorial campaign
We might have missed the job description here.
Governor by day and hairdresser by night? If your candidate can’t plait kpatewo and fight ‘kwarapption’ at the same time, throw them in the bin.
4. 2014 Osun State gubernatorial election
Governor toh bad
This is a mood. Omisore quietly said “na who cut maize for me I go amaze.” If you don’t gerrit, forget abourrit
5. A mix of corn eaters between 2014 and 2019
There’s clearly a problem here
Is roasted corn the jazz politicians share amongst themselves? Because what’s been going on?
6. 2019 gubernatorial election
Is it your daddy’s money? Maybe.
Talk about when you’re big, you’re big, Kashamu was sharing palliatives even before COVID hit. Our sugar daddy, Kashamu, called this the “Dividends of democracy.”
7. 2019 presidential election
Who are we to question true love?
Aunty Aisha was clearly stressed. This was aunty Aisha after uncle Bubu asked what she brought to the table. She kuku went to help him fry akara outside. A queen and more.
And just like that, we are headed towards another election season. While elections are not expected to officially kick off until February 18, 2023, a couple of familiar faces (and one new face) have indicated an interest in replacing our dearest President Buhari. But before you get bombarded with billboards and promises, we decided to do a little research and introduce you to some of these politicians.
Tinubu has been running things in Nigeria, especially Lagos, for a long time. He was a senator in 1992, served as governor twice, handpicked all the governors that came after him, pushed his wife to the senate and created the All Progressive Congress (APC) which got Bubu into Aso Rock. So far, there have been questions surrounding his source of wealth, educational background and whether or not he’s as old as Dumbledore.
Let’s not get into the health concerns that had him in London for the better part of 2021. It’s giving Buhari 2.0.
2. Orji Uzor Kalu
Former Abia state governor and current Chief Whip of the Nigerian senate (the whip is not a BDSM thing o), Orji Uzor Kalu has also indicated an interest in the 2023 presidential elections.
What you should know
While Kalu has done well for print media with The Daily Sun and The Telegraph, we can’t ignore the ₦7.1 billion fraud case that was brought against him in 2007. Despite the case still ongoing, he was allowed to run for and win a seat in the senate in 2019.
This man announced his intentions as far back as 2020, less than a year after he won his second term as Kogi state governor. Apparently, Nigerian youths, celebrities and elites were “pressuring” him to run.
What you should know
Yahaya Bello is no stranger to the news. When he’s not dancing in the gym, he’s being criticised for owing salaries in his state, despite receiving a ₦20 billion bailout from Sterling Bank to pay said salaries. He was also allegedly involved in the mistreatment of Barrister Natasha Akpoti, the only female candidate to run against him in the 2020 Kogi state governorship polls. It’s giving bully with a side of misogyny.
4. Dele Momodu
Remember Ovation Magazine? Yes, this is the man behind it. Famous publisher and media personality, Dele Momodu has also offered to lead us to freedom.
What you should know
This isn’t his first time at the rodeo. Momodu previously ran for president in 2011 under the National Conscience Party (NCP), however, despite that loss, he has decided to run again. This time, he intends to run under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While his beefs with Davido and KWAM 1 might be more popular than his lack of experience in office, it feels good to see a different face in the race, even though it’s a face we already know.
Before becoming a senator and then Senate President, Bukola Saraki served as governor of Kwara State from 2003 to 2011. Saraki has switched parties so many times, it’s hard to keep up. Starting out with the PDP, he switched to the APC before switching back to the PDP.
He intended to run for this job in 2019, but eventually settled as the top man in charge of Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign. From corruption cases to armed robbery, Saraki has had his fair share of run-ins with the law. However, he has continued to maintain his innocence. Has anyone ever accepted that they’re guilty?
6. Anyim Pius Anyim
One of the most vocal aspirants from the South-East, Anyim Pius Anyim was a Senate President during the era of Olusegun Obasanjo from 2000 to 2003. He also served as Secretary-General of the Federation under Goodluck Jonathan from 2011 to 2015.
In 2021, he was also invited and interrogated by the EFCC in connection with a ₦780 million corruption case involving former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah. Again, nothing new.
7. Khadijah Okunni-Lamini
Nigerians have discovered a brand new candidate and the first woman to officially throw her hat into the ring for the 2023 presidential elections. Khadijah Okunni-Lamini (popularly known as KOL) has stated that she is joining the race out of a strong desire to rekindle hope and make Nigeria work for all Nigerians.
What you should know
KOL is one of the lesser-known candidates to have shown interest in joining the presidential race this year. While she might lack political experience, KOL is a media personality and the brain behind Slice Media Solutions, an advertising agency based in Lagos Nigeria. She is also behind some social impact initiatives such as Water Relief Nigeria, Help Our Youth (HOY), To Better Nigeria & Project: Bridge the Gap.
8. Kingsley Moghalu
Kingsley Moghalu, a 2019 Presidential candidate is also making a comeback to the race next year after previously losing to Bubu.
What you should knowMoghalu served as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014. He was one of the youngest contenders in the last elections, where he contested under the Young Progressives Party (YPP). Next year, he will be joining the race again, this time, under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Citizen is a column that explains how the government’s policies fucks citizens and how we can unfuck ourselves.
The National Assembly is set to pass the Electoral Act Amendment Bill this week. The purpose of this bill is to enable them pass a law that will prohibit electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria.
What exactly is going on?
According to a report by The Cable, there have been efforts to pass the bill early enough so the new reforms can take place before the 2023 general elections. For this reason, the joint committees of the senate (INEC) and the house of representatives (electoral matters) set up a technical committee to work on the proposed amendment.
Part of the resolutions made by the committee is that voting in an election and transmission of results under the act shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This provision is contained in section 50 (2) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and has been modified to read: “Voting in an election under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission, which may include electronic voting, PROVIDED that the Commission shall not transmit results of elections by electronic means.”
What are the implications of this?
If the Electoral Act Amendment Bill is passed, it will allow them pass a law that prohibits the Electronic Transmission of Results. The greater implication of this is election rigging. Election results may be rigged at the collation level and numbers may be inflated or reduced as they are being written out.
What can I do to stop this?
You can make a phone call or send a text to your representative at the National Assembly. Here’s a link to access the representatives of each constituency: CALL YOUR REPS.
If you can, you should also reach out to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Femi Gbajabiamila; or Senate President Ahmad Lawan. Speaking up is a good place to begin.
