The Nigerian political landscape particularly in 2018 has been a verbal engagement between political players and parties particularly the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Some of the statements made by these politicians have sometimes shaped public perception about them. Other statements have exposed the political leaning of these politicians.
In all, 2018 has been a year of mass defection of politicians from party to party as they seek to better their lot ahead of the 2019 elections. These movements have sometimes been accompanied with statements that have either resonated with the electorates or generated heated reactions.
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Legit.ng brings to you nine notable quotes that rocked the country’s political scene in 2018
2. Only a fool will seat on the fence - Obasanjo
Although Chief Olusegun Obasanjo wrote an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017 asking him not to seek re-election in 2019, his past relationship with Atiku Abubakar has made many thing the former president would follow the neutral path as an elder statesman. In December 2018 however, Obasanjo made it publicly clear that he would not stay neutral in the coming election. In a statement via his spokesperson, the former president said “only a fool will sit on the fence or be neutral when his or her country is being destroyed with incompetence, corruption, lack of focus, insecurity, nepotism, brazen impunity and denial of the obvious.”
While this may not be a direct endorsement of Atiku, it surely hints at the former president’s rejection of Buhari’s candidacy.
2. Lazy Nigerian youths - Buhari
To set the record clear, President Muhammadu Buhari did not use the now infamous expression, ‘lazy Nigerian youths’ but somehow, it has stuck. When the president was quoted as haven accused the youths of being lazy at the Commonwealth Business Forum, it generated condemnation.
The president said: “More than 60 percent of the population is below 30, a lot of them haven’t been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria is an oil producing country, therefore, they should sit and do nothing, and get housing, healthcare, education free.”
As soon as it was reported, the tag #LazyNigerianYouths began to trend on social media with many criticising the resident for projecting the youths in an unfavourable light at an international event. Eventually, the president had to come out to clarify what he was meant at the eevnt.
3. I funded President Buhari’s campaign in 30 states - Saraki
Senate president, Bukola Saraki’s leaked audiotape expressing his frustration at the All Progressives Congress and President Muhammadu Buhari exposed his true reason for abandoning the party and joining the Peoples Democratic Party. In the leaked audio, Saraki was heard lamenting that in spite of the fact that he funded campaign in 30 states, he has been unable to get adequate reward.
He said: "Hardly any state in Nigeria that I did not campaign for Muhammadu Buhari, up to the time of the election in 2015, out of 36 states I paid for the election of 30 states.
"Out of 36 states in Nigeria I funded Muhammadu Buhari, campaign in 30 states, some states I paid N200million, some N300million, some N400million, the only states I did not fund are southwest states.
"Many times I will be calling my banks to send money to fund elections across Nigeria for Muhammadu Buhari, my thinking was that when we get elected, the next thing is that we will get majority of our people appointments.
"In fact, I had already promised some of you here that you will either be MD of federal agencies, either road maintenance, NIPDA (inaudible) even Nigerian Ports Authority, SUBEB and so on and so forth.
4. I won’t die until Atiku becomes president - Ben Nwabueze
Professor Ben Nwabueze without mincing words declared support for Atiku Abubakar presidency when the latter held a meeting with Igbo Leaders of Thought in Enugu.
Nwabueze after the meeting hugged the former vice president and reportedly told him that he has unfinished businesses to do and that he would stay alive till Atiku becomes president.
5. I have decided to answer the call of the teeming youths - Saraki
Senate president Bukola Saraki’s presidential declaration did not take many political observers by surprise but it was the manner in which he made his intention known that raised eyebrow. From his ambition emergence as Senate president to his instrumental influence in the mass defection of APC lawmakers to the PDP, Saraki had positioned himself as a man who had his eyes only for the top. However, his presidential declaration at an event organised by the NotTooYoungToRun group generated criticism as people saw it as a political manoeuvre to try to win the support of the growing number of youths in the country.
He said at the declaration: “I have decided to answer the call of teeming youth who have asked me to run for President “
6. Nigeria may be up for sale - Pator Oyedepo
Pastor David oyedepo is the only religious leader in the list although not for religious reason but because he erroneously used the pulpit to contribute to the rumour that President Muhammadu Buhari may have been cloned and the person governing the nation is one Jibrin from Sudan.
Quoting a satiric piece, the religious leader misinterpreted the essence of the story by claiming Nigeria may soon be colonised as a result of the possibility that the person at the realm of the affairs of the country may be one Jibrin from Sudan.
Oyedepo’s statement generated reactions on social media particularly from supporters of the president who accused the religious leader of being blinded by hate and also claiming he was now an unofficial member of the PDP considering he was with Atiku when he visited Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for reconciliation.
7. Peter Obi is a tribal bigot - El-Rufai
Governor Nasir-Elrufai’s tweet accusing Peter Obi, the vice presidential candidate of the PDP, of being a tribal bigot generated reactions and counter-reactions particularly on social media. The Kaduna governor’s accusation also forced Obi to issue a statement denying it while the PDP also did same. With the country already struggling to deal with ethnic and religious polarisation, it was no surprise that El-Rufai’s tweet caused huge reactions.
8. Sanwo-Olu not fit to lead Lagos - Ambode
In a last-ditch attempt to fight for the APC gubernatorial ticket, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode addressed a world press conference where he tackled would-be party candidate, Babajide SanwoOlu.
During the conference, the Lagos state governor said Sanwo-Olu was not fit to govern the state and would not be able to sell the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket to the people. He also claimed Sanwo-Olu was rehabilitated at a psychiatric hospital in the state. The biggest claim he made was that Sanwo-Olu had committed fraud in the US by spending fake dollars thereby leading to his arrest.
9. Two powerful men frustrating my husband’s efforts - Aisha Buhari
Aisha Buhari who has been known to be an outspoken critic of President Muhammadu Buhari raised eyebrows when she claimed there were two powerful men frustrating the effort of her husband in making the country better.
The First Lady although did not mention the names of the two men, her statement elicited reactions particularly from the opposition who considered it an indictment of the Buhari administration.
She said: ”I have realized that Senator Babafemi Ojodu, Special Adviser, political, to the President, and Dr. Hajo Sani, and wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Osinbajo, are not comfortable with my saying this and want me to confine myself to my prepared speech but we must say the truth.”
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