2022 has been dominated by political activities as politicians and political parties prepare for the 2023 general elections.
In light of the challenges posed by the electoral act, the major political parties all held primaries for elections to fill various positions.
In this report, Ejes Gist News will examine the most significant political moments and events of 2022.
These events and moments, in no particular order, shaped the year in terms of magnitude and outlook; in most cases, they dominated news coverage.
The 2022 Electoral Act
Since its enactment, this law is shaping the political landscape in Nigeria. Several political appointees had to resign in order to run in the primaries, while others had to abandon their political ambitions in order to remain in their positions.
Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, was unable to run for the governorship of Kebbi State. Others, including Timipriye Sylva and Chris Ngige, forfeited their N100 million APC presidential nomination forms to retain their ministerial positions.
Godswill Akpabio, Ahmad Lawan, and a number of others lost out as a result of the act, as the law’s new provisions have altered party primaries.
Impeachment threat to Buhari
Several opposition lawmakers in the two chambers of the National Assembly issued an ultimatum to President Buhari in July: address the issue of insecurity or face removal from office.
To emphasise the gravity of the situation, some senators from the ruling party, including Elisha Abbo and Umar Bulkachuwa, expressed their support for the opposition.
However, by the time lawmakers returned from recess, the issue had been abandoned.
Tinubu’s ‘Emilokan Speech’
Bola Tinubu, one of the then-23 aspirants vying for the APC’s presidential nomination, suddenly let loose and delivered that famous speech in Abeokuta, where he declared that it is his turn to become the candidate of the ruling party.
Mr. Tinubu spared no one and held nothing back in his infamous tirade. To the Vice President and Dapo Abiodun, from President Muhammadu Buhari. “Everyone chop breakfast,” as the Twitter phrase goes.
The former governor of Lagos State reminded President Muhammadu Buhari of his electoral losses prior to 2015.
Osinbajo was reminded of how he became vice president, whereas Governor Abiodun was awarded the title “Eleyi of Eyi.” Many predicted that Tinubu’s speech would be his undoing, but he went on to become his party’s candidate.
Some of the Yoruba terms he employed in his speech, such as Emilokan, became campaign slogans. Even Governor Abiodun has embraced Eleyi (This one).
Peter Obi and the beginning of the Obidents movement
Prior to ten months, it would have been difficult to discuss Labour Party as a potential presidential candidate. Peter Obi’s defection from the PDP to the Labour Party and the formation of the Obidient Movement have drastically altered the 2023 presidential election.
According to a number of polls, Obi leads the race to replace Buhari in the presidential villa in Abuja. The Obidients have held rallies in multiple cities across the nation and have dominated political discussion on social media.
Less than sixty days before the election, despite the predictions of many that the movement would fizzle out, the movement remains formidable. Mr. Obi and his group have dominated the year 2022.
Tambuwal’s Remarks at the PDP Primary election
Prior to the beginning of voting at the presidential primaries of the PDP at the Moshood Abiola’s stadium, Governor Aminu Tambuwal addressed the convention’s audience. The short speech that concluded with Atiku Abubakar’s endorsement altered the course of the principal opposition party.
Atiku won the primaries; however, the fracture threatens the party’s chances of winning the presidential election in 2023.
It is believed that this speech transformed the party. Wike and four other governors have formed the G5 Governors, a group that is openly challenging their party.
The Arrival of Jonathan
Even though he was not a member of the ruling party, Goodluck Jonathan was linked to the APC presidential ticket in the weeks leading up to the APC primaries.
Recall that some individuals reportedly purchased Jonathan’s nomination and expression of interest forms for N100 million.
It appeared throughout that Jonathan would enter the race, but he did not.
Tinubu’s triumph
Tinubu, Asiwaju, Ahmed, Amaechi, Tinubu, Asiwaju, Ahmed, Amaechi, Tinubu, Asiwaju……these names echoed in this order at the Eagle Square in Abuja during the vote counting. Tinubu, who had earlier convinced other candidates to step down for him, ultimately won the primaries.
His 1271 votes were sufficient to defeat the Vice President, the Senate President, and other candidates.
Wike’s band
If there were a Grammy award for political music, the renowned band of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike could have won.
Throughout the entire year, they released hit songs at a “back to back” rate. Some of their songs, including “As e dey pain them,” “Agreement is agreement,” and “Big man no dey size,” are massive hits in Nigeria.
Even more so than the Sanwo-Olu Babies, the band has been named the best political musical group for 2022.
One Million man March
One innovation in Nigerian political campaigns is the “million-person rally.” Different candidates’ supporters marched differently for their candidates.
Orginally, Obidents staged such rallies to show support for Mr. Peter Obi, but others have since followed suit.
In 2022, the million-person rally featured prominently.
Okupe’s resignation
Doyin Okupe, the General Director of the Obi/Datti campaign, resigned during the week following his conviction in connection with the Armed funds.
Despite Mr. Okupe’s decision to pay a fine, he was forced to resign because his continued participation in the campaign appears to contradict the new order that the Obidient Movement is promoting.
Tinubu asked Arise TV to fire two staff
Tinubu, through his presidential campaign, has asked Arise Tv to fire two of its staff, but in a swift response, Nduka Obaigbena CON, Duke of Owa Kingdom, the founding chairman and editor-in-chief of the THISDAY Media Group and ARISE News Channel trashed Tinubu for asking him to fire two staff to enable him to attend debates on Arise TV.
