10 most controversial Nigerians in politics

2014 has been a big year in Nigerian politics, largely due to the fact that it is just a year away from the 2015 elections.

Nigerians in politics have spent the year 2014 expressing their ambitions, declaring their intentions and campaigning for votes and through it all have managed to attract controversy.

Here is our list (in no particular order) of the most controversial Nigerians in politics for the year 2014:

1. Goodluck Jonathan: President Goodluck Jonathan has been the butt of a lot of controversy this year. He has been criticized for not rescuing the abducted Chibok Girls, for dancing at a rally in Kano after the April 14 explosion in Nyanya, Abuja and for declaring his intention to contest for re-election on November 11, just a day after an explosion killed over 40 young students in Yobe. The president has also been the butt of criticism from former President, Olusegun Obasanjo who has accused him of destroying Nigeria’s economy and encouraging corruption.
2. Bola Tinubu: The leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was this year accused of imposing his own candidate for the Governorship of Lagos State on the party and also for seeking the APC’s Vice-Presidential candidacy for himself. Tinubu is also said to have imposed his own choice for a running mate on Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari and was forced to address reports that his relationship with Governor Babatunde Fashola had gone down the drain.
3. Reno Omokri: The Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on New Media sparked controversy this year with many of his statements but mostly for his creation of a fictional character, Wendell Simlin for the purpose of discrediting former Central Bank Governor and now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido.
4. Doyin Okupe: The Special Assistant to President Jonathan on Public Affairs is well known for his unconventional statements. This year alone, he compared the president to Jesus Christ and Nelson Mandela and also said that Obiageli Ezekwesili is petty, childish and that her behavior is unbefitting of a Christian.
5. Olusegun Obasanjo: The former President sparked controversy this year with his autobiography, “My Watch” which he was prohibited from publishing by a court but still went ahead to launch. Obasanjo’s book is filled with fiery criticisms against incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu and Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka among others.
6. Musiliu Obanikoro: The former Minister of State for Defence resigned his position in the president’s cabinet and even coined a funky catchphrase, “Korobucci” for the purpose of contesting for the Governorship of Lagos on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, “Koro” didn’t make it past the party primaries and was defeated by newcomer, Jimi Agbaje. Obanikoro attacked the PDP, Agbaje and party leader, Bode George after his defeat but was eventually placated by the promise of a ministerial appointment by President Goodluck Jonathan.
7. Rotimi Amaechi: The Governor of Rivers State is not one to shy away from controversy and this year alone, he accused First Lady, Patience Jonathan of fighting with him over money, compared the president to late dictator, Sani Abacha and is even alleged to have mocked Nollywood actors who were on a visit to the state.
8. Ayo Fayose: The Governor of Ekiti State won elections against Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in June and since then has appointed a Special Assistant for “Stomach Infrastructure” (a term which was coined by the APC to accuse him of buying votes with food), and become embroiled in a scandal during which a High Court judge was slapped. Fayose has also been accused of shutting a petrol station belonging to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adewale Omirin, freezing the accounts of the House and also orchestrating Omirin’s impeachment by 7 lawmakers loyal to him.
9. Abba Moro: The Minister of Interior suffered a lot of backlash this year due to the shambolic and disastrous Nigeria Immigration recruitment exercise which in March resulted in the deaths of at least 18 job seekers.
10. Patience Jonathan: The Nigerian First Lady became an internet sensation after a video of her weeping profusely concerning the abduction of the Chibok Girls or the criticisms against her husband over the matter (no one knows for sure) was made public in May. “Mama Peace” inspired the catchphrases “Na only you waka come” and “Chai! There is God o!” thereby maintaining her position as the country’s queen of controversy (and drama) for yet another year.
    
    
    
    
    President Goodluck Jonathan dancing in Kano after the Nyanya bomb blast in April, 2014
    (Nairaland)
11. The crying First Lady
    
12. Nigeria's former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
    (Filed)
13.   Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on New Media, Reno Omokri
    (African spotlight)
14.   Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti (pictured) has been accused of freezing the accounts of the State House of Assembly
    (Filed)
15. play Second-time Lagos governorship aspirant and PDP member, Musiliu Obanikoro
    (News Punch)
16. Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi
    
17. APC chieftain and former Governor of
18.