By The world of politics is one that is said to be riddled with endless controversies, squabbles, and drama. The Nigerian political arena is a living example of this assertion.
Amid the worrisome state of the country’s economy, rising spate of insecurity and many other issues affecting the citizens, Nigerian politicians haven’t failed to act like politicians — making headlines and driving conversations, particularly in the buildup to the 2023 general polls.
In this piece, BlackBox Nigeria highlights five major events that shaped the Nigerian political space in 2021.
1. Femi Fani-Kayode’s defection to the APC
The defection of controversial former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode to the All Progressives Congress (APC) came to many as shocking, owing to his history as a pronounced critic of President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling party.
Fani-Kayode who had vehemently declared in the past that he would never join the APC retracted his words and claimed his decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was informed by “the spirit of God”.
2. PDP governors switching camps to the APC
In what appeared a major crack in the Peoples Democratic Party, two governors elected on the platform of the opposition party — Bello Matawalle of Zamfara and Ben Ayade of Cross River states, respectively — defected to the ruling party, APC.
After months of speculation and denial, Matawalle officially joined the ruling party in June, while his Cross River counterpart had earlier left the PDP for the APC in May.
3. Launch of SWAGA
On Thursday, October 7, hundreds of politicians and party faithfuls loyal to the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, gathered in Lagos State to flag off the Southwest Agenda 2023 (SWAGA ’23), a group designed to support his yet-to-be-announced presidential ambition. The former Lagos governor at the time was recuperating in London after undergoing a knee surgery.
Though the “Lion of Bourdillon” is yet to formally declare his intent to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, there are strong indications that he is eyeing Aso Rock.
4. PDP National Convention
Despite seeming uncertainties and intrigues that rocked the party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the last days of October, held its National Convention and elected new members into its National Working Committee.
Iyorchia Ayu, a former Senate President and long-time political associate of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, emerged National Chairman. The main opposition party also made history after it elected Muhammed Suleiman, a 25-year-old from Kaduna State, as its National Youth Leader.
5. Charles Soludo’s victory at Anambra guber polls
In a keenly contested poll, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, emerged winner of the November 6 gubernatorial election in Anambra State — winning in 19 of the 21 local government areas of the State.
Soludo, who almost lost the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ticket due to internal crisis in the party, finally actualised his dream of becoming Anambra State governor after a number of failed attempts.
