By No doubt, 2018 is the year that has come with its series of twists and turns as political parties died, new ones emerged, political alignments and realignments were the prominent events that shaped the nation’s as it prepares for the big election year come 2019.
In the light of this, Black Box Nigeria has decided to take you our teeming readers through a cruise of the politics in the year 2018.
In opening the political scene of 2018, one resounding occurrence was the open letter that depicts its resignation of his supports for the Buhari’s administration written by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, who hitherto supported the current administration into prominence in 2015.
Legislative wise, in the year under review, a back and forth ensued between the Executive and Legislative arm when the president wrote to the National Assembly to demand a Virement of N242bn for 2019 elections and to fund other critical projects. This subsequently turned into a major debate in town
The amendment of the electoral act came with its own ripples and it aroused the interest of the public and political actors over some of the major aspects in the nation’s electoral law subject to review. The debate over the sequence of election via the ballot also took centre stage.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to the United States and meeting with Donald Trump was a major highlight during the year which involved trade talks and acquisition of weapons to combat insurgence. The intention of the Federal Government to purchase fighter jets became a big deal to the US trip.
Some of the decisions of the President in 2018 got the attention of critics and his supporters too especially on his pronouncement of the June 12 posthumous honour to the late MKO Abiola.
The Accent to the #Not Too Young To Run Bill represents one of the major highlight of the year.
As warm up for 2019, Politicians began to focus on 2019 with the People’s Democratic Party, PDP apologizing to Nigerians on their misdeed while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) registered more political parties which brings the total number of political parties in the country to 91.
During the year, two major state elections were held; All Progressives Congress’ APC Kayode Fami succeeded Ayo Fayose of the PDP in Ekiti and Mr Gboyega Oyetola took over from Aregbeshola in Osun State. Those election raised issues surrounding vote buying and INEC made a policy on the usage of mobile phone at polling boots.
Major crises emerged in the political parties following different elections, the National Assembly was a major defection battle ground, Saraki, Dogara crossed to the PDP and the likes of Senator Akpabio moved to the APC.
President Buhari emerged the Presidential candidate of the APC while former Vice President Atiku Abibakar became the candidate of the PDP and other new comers in the political landscape emerged as their political party’s flag bearers.
Some of the running mates were selected for the Vice Presidential Debate and the major talking point is the warm up to a January 2019 presidential debate.
The year 2018 might be going but it is sure opening us up to the year of political opportunities in 2019, the big election year. The year Nigerians of voting age will be able to decide those who will lead them through another four years.
