By 17 Most Controversial Events Of 2017
2018 has begun its journey many are already set to take on the New Year leaving 2017 behind. However, some events from last year created so much controversies, they shook the country.
BlackBox Nigeria brings you the 17 most controversial events of 2017…
THE PRESIDENT’S HEALTH
This is the perhaps the biggest issue that shook the Nigerian political space in 2017. For the better part of 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari was away in the country nursing health with death hoax trailing him at some points.
Read More: After 104 Days In London, President Buhari Returns To Nigeria Today
It will be recalled that President Buhari was first flown out of the country in January 2017 to far away London where he spent several weeks. He was again flown out on May 7th for another medical vacation where he stayed till August. President Buhari after his trip attested to the fact that his health failed him totally as he has never been that sick.
In his absence, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo held sway.
THE SCANDALOUS STATUES
2017 will also go down as the year of statues with at least two Nigerian Governors making headlines for their choice of statues.
Read Also: Another One! Okorocha Unveils Statue Of Liberian President In Owerri
While Governor Ambode was criticized for unveiling a headless Fela Kuti and a sitting Obafemi Awolowo with a pair large lace-up shoes, Rochas Okorocha of Imo got knocked on Social Media when he spent billions on statues of the South African President, Jacob Zuma and outgoing Liberian leader, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Both Governors belong to the ruling All Progressive Congress.
DAVIDO’S FATAL LOSES AND GRACIOUS COMEBACK
While Davido is regarded as the most successful Nigerian music act of 2017, he however had his own fair share of controversies.
Davido who is the head honcho at HKN and DMW had one of his best years since he became active in 2010, but in addition there were few events that he won’t be forgetting any time soon.
Read Also: Shocking! How Davido Lost 3 Friends To Death In One Week
The Osun state indigene who is born to the family of billionaire businessman, Deji Adeleke lost three of his close friends in a period of less than two weeks. Mid-October, Davido lost his close associates, Tagbo Umeike, Chime Amaechina and Olu Abiodun popularly known as Dj Olu.
Read More: Breaking News! Davido And Dele Momodu Finally Bury Hatchet As Singer Apologizes
He also had a not too pleasant experience with law enforcement agents after eyebrows were raised over Tagbo’s death. The Lagos Police Commissioner, Edgal Imohimi who waded into the issue invited Davido for questioning before the ‘Fall’ singer was eventually cleared of any conspiracy.
See Also: 30BillionConcert: Like Wizkid And Davido, Don Jazzy, D’banj And Wande Coal Also Reunite
Davido however ended the year on a high note making peace with some of his rumoured adversaries including fellow pop star, Wizkid and Ovation Publisher, Dele Momodu. He also shot down the industry with his highly attended show where he did the unbelievable by reuniting the Don Jazzy, D’banj, Wande Coal, Ikechukwu, D’Prince and K-switch of the defunct Mo’hits for the first time since 2012.
BURNA BOY, MR 2KAY AND THE ROBBERY SYNDICATE
Still unsolved, one of the most controversial event of 2017 was the robbery attack on music act, Mr 2kay. The unfortunate event was almost dying down when incredible revelations were made following the arrest of the 4-man squad who perpetuated the act.
The robbery incident which occurred on October 22nd at Eko Hotel and Suites had the ‘Belema’ singer beaten up and his valuables carted away. Following their arrest, the culprits who are students of UNILAG made grave revelations.
See Also: Burna Boy Arrested, To Spend Weekend In Police Custody
The suspects named Burna Boy as the mastermind of robbery. He was even implicated to have sponsored the robbery to teach the Grafton Music act who is a fellow Port Harcourt bred music act a lesson. Burna Boy according to disclosures by the Police perpetuated the act through his road manager, Joe Kantiock. He was subsequently declared wanted after going MIA. He later turned himself over to the Police and was dragged to court. He was later granted bail after spending days in detention while the case has been adjourned.
THE BREAKUPS
2017 also saw unfortunate end of some hitherto incredible romance stories in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Below are some of the messy breakups witnessed.
Tonto Dike and Olakunle Churchill
Exposed! How Celeb Husbands Have Been Infecting Their Wives With STDs
Uche Jombo and Kenney Rodriguez
Toke Makinwa and Maje Ayida
Mercy Aigbe and Lanre Gentry
Mercy Aigbe’s Marriage To Hotelier, Lanre Gentry Reportedly Crashes
Damilola Adegbite and Chris Attoh
Muma Gee and Prince Eke
There were however other not just romantic breakups that were witnessed in 2017. Some music unions we have gotten used to also got dissolved. The biggest in this category was Africa’s biggest pop duo, Psquare again dissolving for the umpteenth time, only that this time they seem serious.
PROSTITUTIONAL ATIKU
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar also made headlines in the last quarter of the year after he announced his exit from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) a party he was part of the formulation in 2014.
Watch Atiku Explain Why He Dumped APC For PDP
The astute politician days after announcing his exit from APC, made a return to the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a party he had exited in 2014. It was gathered that his latest move is in connection with 2019 General Election. In the last 10 years, Atiku has been in and out of PDP three times.
Read More: We Lost An Heavyweight Politician- Okorocha Speaks On Atiku’s Exit
SARS ON THE BEAT
After years of enduring Police Brutality and SARS harassment in silence, Nigerians finally spoke up in 2017.
Read More: EndSARS: IGP Bans Operatives From Conducting Stop And Search, Other Civil Matters
Nigerians from different spheres of life all openly condemned the injustice and tortures suffered by citizens in the hands of officers of the Nigeria Police Force, especially the operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS). The social media campaign birthed the #EndSARS #EndSARSBrutality amongst others which soon got the attention of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris mni who then directed a restructure in the operational mode of the operatives of SARS.
Also See: Nigerians Win EndSARS Campaign As IGP Idris Disbands Operations, Orders Full Investigations
OKOROCHA’S APPOINTMENTS
Governor Rochas Okorocha sure made headlines in 2017. Apart from gaining loads of attention with the numerous statues he erected in and around Imo State, he also made an appointment that got tongues wagging after he appointed his own blood sister, Mrs Ogechi Okorocha Ololo as Commissioner for Happiness and Couple’s Fulfillment, a move which made him an object of ridicule on social media.
Outrage As GOVERNOR Okorocha Appoints Younger Sister As Commissioner For Happiness
He also appointed other Commissioners for other positions such as Niger Delta Matters; internal Resources and Pension Matters among others.
Full List Of New Imo State Commissioners And Their Portfolios
KISS DANIELS VS G-WORLDWIDE
This feud between hit singer, Kiss Daniel and his former record label, G-Worldwide remains the SPLIT of the year as almost everyone never saw it coming until the ‘Yeba’ singer announced the floating of his own management company, Fly Boy Inc. Different law suits has since ignited as both parties have approached the Court to get a soothing judgement.
Read Also: Kiss Daniel Dumps G-worldwide, Floats Own Record Label
Kiss Daniel went estranged from GWorldWide owned by Emperor Jeezy, a label that groomed and nurtured him into stardom.
Legal tussle: Kiss Daniel And Emperor Geezy’s G-Worldwide At War
CAROLINE DANJUMA’S CHILD PATERNITY MESS
All was going well for all until the death of a certain Tagbo Umeike which almost got Davido into trouble. Events following the death however revealed several hitherto unknown facts as it was disclosed that Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Caroline Danjuma was actually having an affair with the late Tagbo. Caroline who separated from her husband, billionaire Musa Danjuma years ago was quickly dragged into a paternity mess with some people alleging that Tagbo was the father of the actress’s last child.
She however debunked the rumour revealing that she already gave birth to the baby before her romance with Tagbo started.
MAINA GATE
This was one of the magical moments witnessed in the current dispensation as a sacked civil servant who was earlier declared wanted got back into the civil service in what has now become the infamous Maina scandal.
Also See: REVEALED: President Buhari Was Aware Of Maina’s Reinstatement
Abdulrasheed Maina months ago proved to be a tough nut to crack after coming back from a supposed retrenchment and news about his return to the Federal Civil Service became viral. Recall that Maina during the previous administration was found involved in misappropriation of pension funds. His return to the Civil Service, at Federal Ministry of Interior however causing a big fight between top appointees of President Buhari; they included the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Danlami SAN; Interior Minister, Abdulrahman Danbazzau; Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari among others.
DADDY FREEZE AND THE TITHE CHALLENGE!
Tithe issues was no doubt one of the top topic of discussion in 2017.
The Tithe scandal can be traced to popular On-Air-Personality, Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze who had his name ringing in different headlines. Daddy Freeze who wasn’t courting controversy for the first time started brought to the fore the scandalous issue tithing in Nigerian Churches. While Freeze is of the opinion that tithe should not be given to churches or church owners as it was tactically funding the outrageous lifestyles of some of these ‘Men of God’ whom he referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo Pastors”.
As expected, this didn’t go well with some top Pastors who engaged him in a battle. The controversy rages on…
MR EAZI REIGNITES THE NIGERIA GHANA WAR
All was well for Mr Eazi until he came all out to show preference for Ghana over Nigeria. He even claimed Nigerian music was inspired by Ghanaian sound.
See More: Mr Eazi Under Fire For Claiming To Introduce Ghana Wave Into Nigerian Music Sphere
He is yet to recover from attacks from Nigerians.
KEMI OLUNLOYO, SEUN EGBEGBE AND THE OTHER PRISONERS
Seun Egbegbe became a viral sensation in 2017 following revelations of his real source of wealth. Unfortunately it wasn’t film making or any legit business. The former lover of actress, Toyin Aimakhu it was discovered was a die-hard criminal who specializes in robbery and fraud.
Lagos Big Boy, Seun Egbegbe Adjusts To Prison Life
He has since been held in Kirikiri Prison as little have been heard about him since his incarceration.
Revealed! Iyabo Ojo Behind Kemi Olunloyo’s Continuous Detention In Port Harcourt Prison
Kemi Olunloyo on the other hand has also been remanded in Port Harcourt Prisons. She is being held for defaming a top Pastor whom she alleged in a post to be having an affair with a popular actress. Her ordeals was highly publicized in 2017.
NNAMDI KANU’S CHICKEN BIAFRA
Before his disappearance, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was fast growing into the most powerful man in the Eastern part of Nigeria. He returned to Nigeria to lead his countrymen on the journey toward self-actualization.
Read More: They Want To Kill My Son”- Nnamdi Kanu’s Father Cries Out, Calls For UN’s Intervention
He was initially locked up in Kuje prion before he was eventually granted bail however a crocodile smile after, Mazi is no where to be found.
“We Didn’t Attack Nor Shoot Anybody”- Nigerian Army Denies Invading Nnamdi Kanu’s House
EVANS THE KIDNAPPER!
2017 also saw an unprecedented drama when a deadly kidnap kingpin was finally accosted. Unknown to many, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike who looked like any other Lagos businessman was indeed more than this. Known in the underworld as Evans, this man perpetuated so many evil acts of abduction and murders that he quickly became a top name in the Police investigations list.
Glimpses Of Lavish Lifestyle Of Billionaire Kidnapper, Evans
The billionaire kidnapper was eventually arrested by a special team of the Nigeria Police Force, the IGP Intelligence Response Team led by super cop, Assistant Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari. He became a media sensation after the Police disclosed that they have been on his trail for the last 5years.
See Also: Just In: Evans The Kidnapper Pleads GUILTY In Court
In his first plea, Evans pleaded Guilty, but changed after his lawyer, Ogungbeje advised him to plead NOT GUILTY.
THE REAL GHOST WORKERS
Nigerians ended 2017 on a scandalous note following the discovery that President Muhammadu Buhari had indeed named at least 8 dead people on the recent list of appointment into governing boards of agencies and parastatals.
The name of the late newly appointed people include Senator Francis Okpozo who was named as the Chairman of the Nigerian Press Council. It even got worse when it was discovered that the President had indeed released a statement mourning the late Senator on his demise.
Other names of late politicians appointed by the President are; Rev Fr Christopher Utov, DIG Donald Ugbaja(retd), Garba Attahiru, Umar Dange, Magdalene Kumu, Dr Nabbs Imegwu and Comrade Ahmed Bunza.
